Single passenger reportedly survives Air India Boeing 787 crash

Aircraft didn't even get its wheels up before sinking into suburban area

A Boeing 787 flying from India to London's Gatwick airport has crashed, leaving one reported survivor among the 242 people aboard.

Air India Flight 171 took off from Ahmedabad in western India around 1:38 pm local time. Flightradar data shows it climbed to just 625 feet, then began losing altitude at around 500 feet per minute. The aircraft reportedly went down in the Meghani Nagar neighborhood near the airport, hitting a hostel at B.J. Medical College, along with nearby homes and businesses.

Many more thought to be dead or injured on the ground. Source: The Indian Central Industrial Security Force.

Air India confirmed the crash and offered some details in a statement.

"The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft," it said. "Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals."

Grainy video footage of the incident appears to show the aircraft losing power within seconds of takeoff. The landing gear had not even been retracted before it began to sink to the ground and it looks as though the aircraft's flaps, used to provide extra lift, were not deployed.

Remarkably, it appears that one passenger survived the crash. British Indian Vishwashkumar Ramesh, 40, was flying with his brother to London when the plane crashed. From his boarding card, Ramesh was in seat 11A, which the seat map for this kind of aircraft shows was the economy row next to one of the emergency exits.

"Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly," he told local media. He is being treated for chest, eye, and foot injuries.

"The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it," said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Since an American aircraft was involved, the US National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a team to investigate the crash, and GE Aerospace - which supplied the engines for this aircraft - is also helping the authorities with their inquiries. Boeing has pledged full cooperation with the investigating teams as well.

"Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad," said Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg.

"I have spoken with Air India Chairman Chandrasekaran to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau."

The Boeing 787 was first delivered to airlines in 2011, and had a rocky start with battery fires, computer problems, and poor build quality. However, this is reportedly the first time one of the planes has crashed with loss of life. ®