Late last month on February 19th, an Air India flight, AI171, tragically crashed just after taking off from Ahmedabad, India bound for London’s Gatwick Airport. The plane, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, had 242 people on board — passengers and crew. This would be the first serious crash of the Boeing 787 since entering service in 2011.
The accident happened barely seconds after departure, prompting an emergency Mayday call to air traffic control. The circumstances around the incident are still unknown, as investigations are still ongoing to figure out what exactly caused the crash.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his deep condolences, adding that the crash has “stunned and saddened” the country. He offered his prayers to the passengers, crew, and families touched by this tragic event.
In response to the tragedy, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the scenes as “devastating.” He further assured that he is keeping track as everything continues to develop. Even Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was left reeling in shock upon hearing news of the fatal crash. At the same time, King Charles and Queen Camilla expressed their horror at the “terrible events” taking place in Ahmedabad.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has suggested that the international government in which an incident occurs take the lead on investigations. Rest assured that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stands ready to support you should you seek assistance.
“We stand ready to launch a team immediately in coordination with the NTSB.” – FAA
The aviation community is now watching closely as the situation continues to play out. Investigations into the crash will adhere to regulatory requirements, which mandate the issuance of a preliminary report within 30 days and a final report as soon as possible, typically within a year.
“Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected.” – Boeing
As nations around the world respond to this tragedy, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed his sorrow:
In the shadow of this built world disaster lies profound private grief for hundreds of families. It highlights the global impact of such an event, in an increasingly interconnected world.
“Deeply shocked to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad. Our prayers are with the passengers and their families.” – S. Jaishankar
The gravity of this incident reverberates across borders.
“Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones,” – King Charles
The aftermath of this disaster highlights not only the personal loss but also the international implications of such events in an interconnected world.
