Air India Plane With 242 Onboard Crashes After Takeoff

An Air India plane carrying 242 passengers and crew on board has crashed near Ahmedabad Airport in India, sparking immediate emergency responses and raising concerns about aviation safety in the region.

TJ News Nigeria gathered that the ill-fated aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was en route to London Gatwick Airport when it went down shortly after takeoff on Thursday afternoon, local time.

What We Know So Far

• Flight Route: Ahmedabad, India ➔ London Gatwick, UK

• Aircraft Type: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

• Registration Number: VT-ANB

• Time of Departure: 1:39 p.m. (0809 GMT)

• Distress Call: “Mayday” sent before contact was lost

The aircraft, operated by Air India, reportedly issued a Mayday distress signal shortly after takeoff but lost communication with air traffic control within seconds.

Eyewitness accounts reported by Indian media described scenes of flames and thick black smoke rising into the sky from a civilian area near the airport.

Eyewitness Reports and Rescue Operations

Television footage broadcast in India showed dramatic visuals of the aircraft taking off over a residential area before it disappeared from view, followed moments later by a large fireball erupting from the ground.

Local emergency services, including firefighters, ambulances, and security personnel, were seen rushing to the crash site. Visuals captured stretcher-borne casualties being hurried into ambulances, although the official casualty figures have not yet been confirmed.

Authorities have yet to provide details on fatalities or survivors.

Official Statements

Air India confirmed the incident on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating:

“At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates.”

Meanwhile, local police in Gujarat confirmed that the plane crashed in a civilian area close to the airport, although specific details about property damage or injuries on the ground remain scarce.

Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, has not yet issued an official statement regarding the crash as of the time of filing this report.

Aviation History and Context

According to aviation tracking platform Flightradar24, the aircraft lost signal just moments after departure. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner involved in the incident is known as one of the most technologically advanced passenger aircraft currently in service.

The last major fatal airline crash in India occurred in 2020, involving an Air India Express Boeing 737 that overshot a table-top runway in Kozhikode, Kerala, resulting in 21 deaths.

Reactions and Global Attention

The tragic incident has already sparked international attention, with aviation analysts monitoring developments closely. Aviation safety advocates have expressed concerns over yet another incident involving an Indian carrier, emphasizing the need for stringent enforcement of air safety protocols.

Families of the passengers have begun gathering at Ahmedabad Airport, desperately seeking information on the fate of their loved ones.

What’s Next

• Indian aviation authorities are expected to launch a full-scale investigation.

• Updates on casualty figures, rescue efforts, and potential causes of the crash are expected in subsequent official briefings.

TJ News Nigeria will continue to monitor this developing story and provide verified updates as more information becomes available.