The tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 departing from Ahmedabad to London has sent shockwaves across the globe, with 241 fatalities confirmed out of 242 onboard. The sole survivor, a British national, is currently under medical care. The incident is being labelled as one of the worst aviation disasters in India's history, and global leaders have started to extend their condolences and support.

Among the first to react was United States President Donald Trump, who described the incident as horrific and pledged immediate US support to aid the Indian government in its investigation.

Trump Reacts to AI-171 Crash

Speaking to the press late Thursday night, President Trump said,
"The plane crash was terrible. I've already told them if there is anything we can do. It's a big country, a strong country. They'll handle it, I'm sure. But I let them know that anything we can do, we'll be over there immediately. It was a horrific crash."

The US President also remarked that there might be a few survivors, though Air India confirmed that only one passenger has survived the crash.

He added,
"Nobody has any idea what it might be. We saw the plane. It looked like it was flying pretty well. It didn't look like there was an explosion. Just looked like the engines had maybe lost power. That is a terrible crash. It's one of the worst in aviation history."

Air India Confirms 241 Fatalities

Air India released a formal statement confirming that 241 passengers and crew had lost their lives in the accident. The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, and the flight had taken off from Ahmedabad en route to London when the crash occurred shortly after departure.

The passenger list included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.

“We regret to inform that of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities,” Air India stated in its public release.

The airline’s chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said that their top priority is to support all affected individuals and their families.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event,” he added.

DGCA Confirms MAYDAY Call Was Sent

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the flight crew of AI-171 sent out a MAYDAY call, signalling an emergency. However, the aircraft did not respond to further communication from the airport traffic control (ATC).

The circumstances surrounding the MAYDAY and the lack of response are now a key focus of the investigation, as authorities work to recover black box data and voice recordings.

First Crash Involving Boeing 787 Dreamliner

This incident is being noted globally for another grim reason — it marks the first crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, according to the Aviation Safety Network database.

US-based Boeing issued a short statement acknowledging the tragedy:
"We are aware of the reports and are working to gather more information. Our thoughts are with those affected by this incident."

The Boeing 787 is known for its advanced technology and is considered one of the most fuel-efficient and safest wide-body jets. The crash is expected to prompt global aviation regulators to closely examine the model's safety record and operational data.

India-US Cooperation on Investigation

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are likely to get involved, especially given the aircraft's manufacturer is US-based. Trump’s offer to assist underscores the strong bilateral cooperation between India and the United States in matters of aviation safety and national emergencies.

While India’s DGCA will lead the primary investigation, joint efforts may include forensic examination of the aircraft wreckage, black box decoding, and review of engine and communication logs.

Global Reactions and PM Modi’s Response

As per latest updates, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the crash site in Ahmedabad and is in direct communication with the civil aviation ministry. Several ministers, including the Home Minister and External Affairs Minister, are coordinating response efforts, particularly for foreign nationals on board.

The United Kingdom and Portugal have issued condolences and said they are in contact with Indian authorities to confirm the identities of their nationals and support their families.

What Comes Next

In the coming days, investigators will focus on:

• Retrieving and analysing black box and CVR data

• Verifying flight path, ATC recordings, and technical maintenance logs

• Speaking to the lone survivor for any insight on what occurred moments before the crash

Air India is expected to ground its remaining Boeing 787 fleet temporarily pending preliminary investigation findings. Aviation experts say that weather, mechanical failure, or human error cannot be ruled out at this early stage.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are HDB Financials, ArisInfra Solutions, Influx Healthtech, Mayasheel Ventures, Eppeltone Engineers, Patil Automation, Samay Projects Services.

The Current active IPO are Oswal Pumps, Aten Papers, Monolithisch India.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.