A catastrophic crash involving Air India flight 171 occurred near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon, with preliminary expert analysis suggesting multiple bird strikes as a critical factor. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London's Gatwick airport, crashed shortly after takeoff around 1:30 PM, carrying 242 people including passengers and crew. Aviation experts are now examining how bird strikes may have prevented the aircraft from achieving optimal takeoff speed, leading to the tragic incident.
Air India Ahmedabad bird hit crash site with emergency responders and smoke rising from the wreckage
Emergency responders at the Air India Flight 171 crash site near Ahmedabad Airport
Incident Overview: What We Know So Far
The London-bound Air India flight crashed approximately 1.5 kilometers from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered as VT-ANB, was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including two pilots. According to preliminary reports, the aircraft took off from Runway 23 at 1:39 PM IST but encountered immediate difficulties.
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner similar to the Air India aircraft involved in the Ahmedabad bird hit crash
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Air India livery similar to the aircraft involved in the incident
The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national. Among the passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was reportedly seated in business class. The aircraft was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an experienced pilot with over 8,200 flight hours, alongside First Officer Clive Kundar.
Air India Emergency Helpline: For information regarding the crash, Air India has established a dedicated hotline number: 1800 5691 444
Bird Strike Theory Explained
Aviation experts analyzing the crash have pointed to multiple bird strikes as a likely contributing factor. Bird strikes occur when birds collide with aircraft, potentially causing significant damage to engines and other critical components, particularly during the vulnerable takeoff phase when aircraft are at low altitude and high power settings.
Illustration showing how bird strikes can damage aircraft engines during takeoff
Illustration of how bird strikes can damage aircraft engines during critical takeoff phase
"It looks, prima facie, like a case of multiple bird hits wherein both the engines have lost power. The take-off was perfect and just, I believe, short of taking the gear up, the aircraft started descending, which can happen only in case the engine loses power or the aircraft stops developing lift."
— Captain Saurabh Bhatnagar, former senior pilot
Captain Bhatnagar further explained that the footage suggests the takeoff appeared normal until the aircraft suddenly began descending in what seemed to be a controlled manner. The pilot had issued a Mayday call, indicating a serious emergency situation that required immediate assistance.
Aviation Experts Weigh In
Multiple aviation experts have offered their analysis of the incident, with consistent references to bird strikes as a probable cause. The aircraft's inability to achieve sufficient lift after takeoff aligns with scenarios involving engine power loss from bird ingestion.
Aviation expert Sanjay Lazar discussing the Air India Ahmedabad bird hit crash
Aviation expert Sanjay Lazar who provided analysis on the crash
"That would explain why the aircraft did not have the power to lift. If there were multiple bird hits on take-off, it probably could not have gone beyond the 6-7 minute threshold and started falling. Let's also remember it's a reasonably new aircraft, it's only 11 years old, so it's not like it had technical issues."
— Sanjay Lazar, aviation expert
Lazar's assessment highlights an important point about the aircraft's age. At just 11 years old, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was relatively new by aviation standards, making catastrophic mechanical failure less likely without an external factor such as bird strikes.
Key Indicators of Bird Strike
Sudden loss of engine power during takeoff
Controlled descent pattern after initial climb
Mayday call issued immediately after takeoff
Inability to maintain altitude despite normal takeoff
Crash site proximity to airport (common in bird strike incidents)
Aircraft Information
Model: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Registration: VT-ANB
Age: 11 years
Flight: AI 171 (Ahmedabad to London Gatwick)
Crew: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (8,200 flight hours) and First Officer Clive Kundar (1,100 flight hours)
Location and Environmental Factors
The crash occurred in the Meghani area, a residential zone near Ahmedabad airport. This proximity to the airport is consistent with incidents involving bird strikes, as birds are often more prevalent around airports due to nearby water bodies, waste disposal sites, or agricultural areas.
Aerial view of Ahmedabad airport and surrounding residential areas where the Air India bird hit crash occurred
Aerial view of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport and the nearby Meghani area where the crash occurred
According to Lazar, "This is a residential area beyond the airport. Possibly, there were birds in the area. Let's wait for more details to come out, but this is probably one of the key factors involved." The location's characteristics may have contributed to increased bird activity, particularly if there were open garbage dumps or standing water that attract birds.
Bird Strike Risk Factors Near Airports
Proximity to water bodies (lakes, rivers, wetlands)
Waste management facilities and landfills
Agricultural activities that attract birds
Seasonal bird migration patterns
Inadequate bird deterrent systems at airports
Emergency Response and Investigation
Following the crash, emergency services were immediately dispatched to the site. Fire tenders were rushed to douse the blaze, and injured survivors were transported to city civil hospitals. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed multiple teams from Gandhinagar and Vadodara to assist with rescue operations.
Emergency responders at the Air India Ahmedabad bird hit crash site with rescue operations underway
Emergency responders conducting rescue operations at the crash site in Ahmedabad
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, directing them to go to Ahmedabad and ensure all possible assistance to those affected. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has directed officials to carry out immediate rescue operations and establish a green corridor to transport survivors to hospitals.
Official Investigation Underway
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a formal investigation into the crash. Technical experts from Boeing are expected to join the investigation team to analyze the aircraft's black boxes (flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder) once they are recovered from the wreckage.
DGCA and aviation investigators examining flight recorders similar to those that will be recovered from the Air India bird hit crash
Representative image of investigators examining flight recorders similar to those that will be recovered from the crash site
While the bird strike theory has gained traction among experts, investigators will examine multiple potential factors, including weather conditions, mechanical issues, and human factors. The investigation is expected to take several months before official conclusions are reached.
Passenger Information and Airline Response
The Air India flight was carrying a diverse group of passengers, with the majority being Indian nationals. The full breakdown of the 242 people onboard includes:
Nationality
Number of Passengers
Indian
169
British
53
Portuguese
7
Canadian
1
Crew (Indian)
12
Air India has issued an initial statement confirming the incident and stating that details were being ascertained. The airline's Chairman N Chandrasekaran has expressed "profound sorrow" and assured full support to the affected families.
Air India officials at a press conference addressing the Ahmedabad bird hit crash
Air India officials addressing the media regarding the crash
For Families Seeking Information
Air India has established a dedicated emergency helpline for families seeking information about passengers on flight AI 171:
1800 5691 444
The airline has also set up family assistance centers at both Ahmedabad and London Gatwick airports.
Bird Strike Prevention in Aviation
This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of bird strikes in aviation. Airports worldwide implement various measures to mitigate bird strike risks, including habitat management, wildlife deterrents, and monitoring systems. However, the threat remains significant, particularly during takeoff and landing phases.
Bird deterrent systems used at airports to prevent incidents like the Air India Ahmedabad bird hit crash
Modern bird deterrent systems used at airports to prevent bird strikes
Common Bird Strike Prevention Methods
Habitat modification around airports
Acoustic deterrents and noise cannons
Visual deterrents (reflective materials, predator effigies)
Wildlife management programs
Radar systems to detect bird activity
Bird Strike Statistics
Approximately 13,000 bird strikes reported annually worldwide
Most strikes occur below 3,000 feet altitude
Takeoff and landing are highest risk phases
Engine ingestion is the most dangerous type of strike
Multiple bird strikes significantly increase risk
Ongoing Investigation and Conclusions
While multiple aviation experts have pointed to bird strikes as a likely cause of the Air India Ahmedabad crash, the official investigation is still in its early stages. The recovery of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder will provide crucial information about the final moments of flight AI 171.
Investigation team at the Air India Ahmedabad bird hit crash site collecting evidence
Investigation team collecting evidence at the crash site
As Captain Bhatnagar emphasized, "The investigation will reveal the exact reason." Until then, the bird strike theory remains a leading explanation based on the available evidence and expert analysis. The aviation community will be watching closely as more details emerge about this tragic incident.
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