Passenger’s shocking account on Air India crash: ‘I flew on that plane just 2 hours before it crashed’

A London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday, with all believed dead. Amid ongoing investigations, Akash Vatsa, a passenger who flew on the same plane two hours earlier—from Delhi to Ahmedabad—shared his experience. He noted several unusual issues during his flight, including non-functioning in-flight entertainment and service glitches.

Air India Flight 171 departed Ahmedabad around 1:40 pm (0810 GMT), bound for London Gatwick, but crashed shortly after takeoff into a doctors’ hostel near the airport. The flight carried 169 Indians, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian, along with 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew. A mayday call was made immediately after takeoff before the crash.

Vatsa mentioned the flight number was changed, forcing passengers connecting to London to deboard and reboard, causing confusion. He posted photos and videos from his earlier flight showing the aircraft and its issues.

204 bodies recovered

Ahmedabad police have recovered 204 bodies; at least 50 medical students injured in the hostel crash are hospitalized. Officials warn of no survivors onboard. The airport suspended operations after the crash, and India’s aviation ministry deployed emergency teams for rescue and investigation.

Boeing responds

Boeing confirmed it is gathering information and ready to assist Air India. This crash marks the first-ever accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, known for its fuel efficiency and long-haul capacity.

Air India’s response

The airline activated an emergency center and support teams to assist families. The chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.

The crash is one of India’s worst aviation disasters. Investigations continue as the nation mourns the victims and awaits further details.