In less than a minute after takeoff, Air India Flight 171 crashed, killing numerous passengers and crew, and raising critical questions regarding the cause of the disaster.
Tragic Air India Flight 171 Crash Claims Lives, Investigators Scramble for Answers

Tragic Air India Flight 171 Crash Claims Lives, Investigators Scramble for Answers
A shocking plane crash in India leaves over 270 dead, prompting a detailed investigation into the tragic event.
Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal, 55, was contemplating retirement to care for his aging father while his co-pilot, Clive Kunder, 32, was on the brink of advancing his career. Their combined flight experience was substantial, nearing 10,000 hours, yet it all ended abruptly following the takeoff of Air India Flight 171 from Ahmedabad, aimed at London. The aircraft tragically went down less than a minute into its journey, crashing into a nearby medical college and claiming at least 270 lives onboard, most of whom perished in a catastrophic fireball.
Rescue personnel reported that identification of the victims has been challenging due to the severe damage caused by the blaze. As of Sunday morning, authorities have confirmed the identities of only 19 souls through DNA testing, a grim task for the loved ones left behind. The crash site has been secured while investigators have already retrieved the flight data recorder and are on the hunt for the cockpit voice recorder. These devices, also known as black boxes, are central to understanding whether the tragedy was caused by mechanical failure, human mistakes, or a combination of factors.
As investigators sift through the wreckage and analyze the black boxes, they remain keenly aware that the pilots had little to no time to react once the emergency unfolded. The aviation community watches closely, eager for answers that could not only provide closure for bereaved families but also ensure improved safety for future flights.
Rescue personnel reported that identification of the victims has been challenging due to the severe damage caused by the blaze. As of Sunday morning, authorities have confirmed the identities of only 19 souls through DNA testing, a grim task for the loved ones left behind. The crash site has been secured while investigators have already retrieved the flight data recorder and are on the hunt for the cockpit voice recorder. These devices, also known as black boxes, are central to understanding whether the tragedy was caused by mechanical failure, human mistakes, or a combination of factors.
As investigators sift through the wreckage and analyze the black boxes, they remain keenly aware that the pilots had little to no time to react once the emergency unfolded. The aviation community watches closely, eager for answers that could not only provide closure for bereaved families but also ensure improved safety for future flights.