New Delhi: Two pilots, 230 passengers, and 10 crew members were on board the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad shortly after take-off on Thursday noon. The flight was bound to the London Gatwick Airport.
There were 53 British nationals, 169 Indians, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals on board the flight, according to Air India officials.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in a statement said, “On 12 Jun, M/s Air India B787 Aircraft VT-ANB while operating flight AI-171 from (Ahmedabad to Gatwick) crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad. There were 242 people on board the aircraft consisting of 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew. The aircraft was under the command of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar. Capt Sumeet Sabharwal is a LTC with 8200 Hrs of experience. The copilot had 1100Hrs of flying experience”.
The aircraft had taken off at 1.39 pm from runway 23. Right after take-off, it gave a May Day call to the ATC but then did not respond to the calls made by the ATC.
“Immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site,” the DGCA said.
Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said in a statement: “With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India flight, AI 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.”
“At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted,” the Air India chairman’s statement added. “Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families seeking information.”
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel described the crash as “very unfortunate and sad”. He asked for the creation of a green corridor to take the injured passengers for immediate treatment, according to a statement posted by by his office on X. The statement said Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the chief minister and assured all help by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the central government.
Visuals showed massive plumes of black smoke emerging from the crash site. Emergency responders are at the site.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to the Gujarat Chief Minister, Home Minister and the Police Commissioner regarding the plane crash. He also assured to provide Central government assistance.
“Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action. Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families,” Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu posted on X.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was delivered to India on 20 January 2014 from its US-based factory. The first flight was on 14 Dec 2013.
Flight radar shows that the same aircraft took off from New Delhi and landed at the Ahmedabad airport at 11:16 am today. It was a one hour flight.
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