Air India Flight 171 Crash: Second-by-Second Timeline of Fatal Final Moments
Published By : Kalpit Mohanty
| July 12, 2025 1:50 PM
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171 became one of India's deadliest aviation disasters when the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed approximately thirty seconds after takeoff into the hostel block of B. J. Medical College in Ahmedabad. The tragedy claimed 241 lives, leaving only one survivor.
Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident on June 12, 2025. At 13:39 IST (08:09 UTC), the aircraft began losing altitude while maintaining a wings-level attitude shortly after liftoff.
Critical Timeline of Events
The preliminary crash report reveals a chilling sequence of events that unfolded within seconds:
08:08:42-43 UTC: Engine 1 fuel switch moves to CUTOFF position - a process that can only be done manually, according to investigators.
08:08:43-44 UTC: Engine 2 experiences similar issues as the aircraft continues to struggle for altitude.
08:09:05 UTC: One of the pilots transmitted "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY". This emergency call would be the last communication from the cockpit.
08:09:11 UTC: The ATCO enquired about the call sign but did not get any response, observing the aircraft crashing outside the airport boundary and activating emergency response.
The Struggle for Altitude
In the blue skies above western India, flight AI171 was struggling to gain altitude. The aircraft's inability to climb properly after takeoff became evident within moments of departure, leading to the catastrophic outcome.
Aircraft Maintenance History
The right-hand engine had been overhauled in March 2025, while the left-hand engine was inspected in April 2025. No issues had been reported prior to the flight. This information has become crucial for investigators trying to understand the sequence of events.
Investigation Status
The FAA is in contact with the NTSB regarding Air India flight AI171, though the Indian government leads the investigation as per international protocol. Despite media reports suggesting the black boxes might be sent abroad for data recovery, the government clarified that no such decision had been made.
Impact and Aftermath
The crash site at B. J. Medical College in Ahmedabad bore witness to one of aviation's most tragic incidents. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but the severity of the impact left little hope for survivors beyond the single person who miraculously survived.
This disaster has raised serious questions about aviation safety protocols and emergency procedures, with investigators working tirelessly to determine the exact cause of this preventable tragedy.
