Tragic Air India Flight Crash in Ahmedabad: What We Know So Far

Air India flight 171 tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, leading to significant casualties both onboard and on the ground. A detailed investigation is underway, focusing on the circumstances surrounding the disaster.

Investigations are ongoing following the crash of Air India Flight 171 on June 12, which has emerged as one of the worst aviation disasters in India's recent history, claiming the lives of at least 260 people. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 crashed a short time after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, cutting through a dining hall at a nearby medical facility, tragically affecting many people on the ground as well.

While the conclusive cause of the crash remains unknown, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of India has provided a preliminary report, offering new insights into the sequence of events leading to this catastrophic incident. According to the report, the timeline of significant occurrences is detailed as follows:

- At 11:17 a.m. local time, the aircraft landed in Ahmedabad after completing a domestic journey from New Delhi. Notably, the previous flight crew had communicated the presence of a defect, reportedly linked to a sensor related to the plane's stabilizer.

- By 11:55 a.m., the crew assigned to Air India flight 171, consisting of two pilots and ten flight attendants, completed their preflight alcohol tests, all of which registered negative.

The crash, which resulted in the tragic loss of 242 individuals on board and many on the ground, has raised numerous questions about the safety protocols and operational procedures associated with aircraft. Investigators anticipate that gathering conclusive answers will require several months of extensive analysis and scrutiny.