An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff on Wednesday afternoon, with 242 people on board. The wide-body aircraft, registered VT-ANB, went down approximately nine minutes after receiving takeoff...
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An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff on Wednesday afternoon, with 242 people on board.
The wide-body aircraft, registered VT-ANB, went down approximately nine minutes after receiving takeoff clearance, according to local authorities. On board were two pilots, 10 cabin crew members, and 230 passengers.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with state emergency services and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on site. Officials said thick smoke and fire made it difficult for first responders to reach the fuselage, which broke apart on impact in a semi-urban area outside Ahmedabad.
An Air India spokesperson said:"Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest."
The cause of the crash has not been confirmed. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion before seeing a fireball in the sky. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India's internal investigation teams are expected to begin a detailed probe.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-haul, wide-body aircraft known for its fuel efficiency, composite fuselage, and advanced avionics. Air India was among the early adopters of the 787, receiving its first unit (VT-ANH) in 2012. The aircraft involved in the incident, VT-ANB, is one of the earlier models delivered to the carrier and was part of Air India's push to modernize its international fleet.
The Dreamliner has generally maintained a strong safety record since its global introduction in 2011, although it has faced scrutiny over technical issues including lithium-ion battery fires in its early years. Boeing has since addressed those concerns, and the aircraft remains widely used by major airlines worldwide.
More details are awaited from Air India and aviation authorities as rescue operations continue and investigations get underway.
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