Ahmedabad | 13 June 2025
In what has now been confirmed as one of the worst aviation disasters in India’s history, preliminary investigations into the tragic crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner have revealed that a crucial “configuration error” during take-off was the primary cause behind the fatal incident.
The aircraft, bound for London Gatwick with 242 people onboard — including passengers, crew, and pilots — crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12. The plane plummeted into the premises of BJ Medical College, killing at least 5 students and leaving many others injured. Most onboard the aircraft are feared dead.
According to early findings from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft’s flap and slat system — essential for lift during take-off — was not correctly configured. Investigators believe that the take-off configuration warning system, designed to alert the crew of such errors, either failed to function or was ignored.
Sources from the DGCA confirmed that cockpit voice recordings and black box data indicate the crew did not respond to repeated system alerts before takeoff. The aircraft, unable to generate sufficient lift due to the incorrect flap position, failed to gain altitude and crashed into nearby structures within seconds of takeoff.
While human error appears to be the leading factor, officials are not ruling out the possibility of a technical malfunction in the aircraft's warning systems. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is equipped with multiple layers of redundancy to prevent such errors, which raises critical questions about both maintenance practices and pilot attentiveness.
The crash has sent shockwaves across the nation. Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was en route to London to visit his wife and daughter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow and called for a full-scale inquiry, while civil aviation authorities in multiple countries have begun reviewing safety protocols for Boeing aircraft.
Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, has expressed condolences and has dispatched a technical team to assist Indian authorities with the investigation. Air India has grounded its fleet of 787s temporarily pending further inspection.
This incident has reignited debates over airline safety, pilot training, and aircraft maintenance standards in India. Aviation experts stress the need for more rigorous checks, especially for high-capacity international flights.
The final investigation report is expected in the coming weeks. For now, India mourns a catastrophe that might have been prevented with a single correct switch — a haunting reminder of how a small oversight can lead to unimaginable loss.
