Doomed Air India 171 Boeing flight sent final radio signal 'seconds after take-off'

Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner opera crashed in India on Thursday morning (Image: -)

A UK-bound plane has tragically crashed shortly after takeoff near Ahmedabad airport in western India, carrying 242 passengers.

Details are still being established after the tragedy unfolded seconds after take-off.

Flight Radar detailed the incident: "We are following reports of a crash of Air India flight #AI171, from Ahmedabad to London.

"We received the last signal from the aircraft at 08:08:51 UTC, just seconds after take off."

The service outlined that Air India flight #AI171 was set to depart Ahmedabad International Airport for London Gatwick Airport at 09:50 local time with an expected arrival at 18:25 local time.

Tragically, contact with the aircraft was lost at 10:08 local time when it was at an altitude of 625 feet, barely a minute post-takeoff. It has been reported that there were more than 200 passengers on board.

Amidst this catastrophe, India's aviation minister has declared a state of utmost readiness, announcing: "we are on highest alert", while confirming that "rescue teams have been mobilised".

According to Reuters, India's aviation regulator disclosed that the plane met with disaster shortly after taking to the skies "outside the airport perimeter". Expressing profound sorrow and distress over the accident in Ahmedabad, India's Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu voiced his emotions about the tragedy.

In a statement imbued with urgency and concern, Naidu remarked: "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."

Emphasizing the immediacy of the response, he added, "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."

Air India flight AI171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was embroiled in an incident today, 12 June 2025, the airline confirmed.

While no official tally of passengers and crew has been disclosed, a source from the police control room told Asian News International (ANI) that 242 individuals were on board.

In their statement, Air India announced: "Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025."

The airline added, "At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest on http://airindia.com and on our X handle."