Kolkata: The Air India AI171 was the first ever Boeing 787 Dreamliner to crash, according to an AFP report. The flight operating from Ahmedabad to London crashed on June 12 shortly after its take off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft had 230 passengers and 12 crew members, totaling 242 people on board.
The aircraft departed from Ahmedabad airport at 1.17pm and was scheduled to arrive in London at 6.09pm. However, it went down moments after take-off, crashing into a densely populated neighbourhood close to the airport.
According to reports, the age of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was 11 years and it had the capacity to carry between 248 and 330 passengers. Media outlets like Al Jazeera have reported that Air India AI171 was registered as VT-ANB, took off at 09:00 GMT and reached its maximum altitude of 625 feet (190.5 metres; with the airport’s elevation at approximately 200 feet or 61 metres) before descending at a vertical speed of -475 feet per minute (-144.8 metres per minute).
The Air India plane crash will be investigated by AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau). The flight had 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese citizens and 1 Canadian national on board. According to the information given by Air India on a social media post, a helpline number 1800 5691 444 has also been started for the passengers. An investigation is being conducted to find out how the accident happened and Air India is fully cooperating with the investigating officers.
