Ahmedabad Plane Crash Update | DGCA launches probe into Air India flight incident

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the national civil aviation regulator, has initiated an investigation into the crash of Air India flight AI-171 on Thursday that occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. According to a senior DGCA official, the aircraft involved was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, registered as VT-ANB.

The flight was en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick and was carrying a total of 242 individuals, including 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew members.

The aircraft was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain (LTC) with over 8,200 hours of flying experience. 

Moreover, Sabharwal was accompanied by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged approximately 1,100 hours of flight time.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) confirmed that the aircraft departed from Runway 23 at 13:39 pm. Shortly after takeoff, the crew issued a mayday call. However, subsequent attempts by ATC to establish communication with the aircraft were unsuccessful.

“Immediately after departure, the aircraft crashed outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was observed billowing from the accident site,” the DGCA official stated.

The DGCA has assured that a thorough inquiry will be conducted, and findings will be shared in due course.