In a tragic aviation disaster near Ahmedabad, Air India Flight AI 171 crashed moments after takeoff, killing 241 of the 242 people onboard, and impacting buildings on the ground. Just hours later, investigators recovered a crucial piece of evidence—the plane’s black box—marking a vital step toward uncovering what went wrong. Amid the devastation, a British student, Bhoomi Chauhan, learned she narrowly avoided being on the doomed flight—missing it by mere minutes. Let’s unpack the story, the investigation, and the human moments behind the headlines.

Final Minutes & Black Box Recovery After Air India Flight Crash

On 12 June 2025, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, bound for London Gatwick. Just 30 seconds later, the aircraft crashed into a hostel block at B.J. Medical College—resulting in instant catastrophe.

Rescue teams combed the wreckage, manually identifying victims and gathering debris. On 13 June, police confirmed one black box was recovered from a nearby rooftop . Investigators anticipate flight data and cockpit voice recordings will provide insights into what led to the crash. International experts from Boeing, the UK, US, and India’s AAIB are now collaborating.

Theories: What May Have Gone Wrong

While the black box remains under review, multiple theories were floated:

• Bird strike during climb, though some experts question this theory.
• Wing flap or landing gear configuration errors, possibly due to pilot oversight.
• Overloading or technical malfunction—though evidence is unconfirmed.
• Pilot distraction or runway misalignment, which may have compromised lift quickly after takeoff.

The black box data is expected to resolve these uncertainties.

A Narrow Miss: Bhoomi Chauhan’s Story

One near-miss became a compelling human angle in the tragedy. Bhoomi Chauhan, a British student from Gujarat, was blocked from boarding Flight AI 171 after arriving ten minutes late due to traffic. She told NDTV:

“I reached five minutes late at the gate… I’m happy my life was saved.”

She said her legs “started trembling” when she learned the flight’s fate and credited her escape to divine intervention. Her story reminds us how small factors—like road delays—can shift life and death outcomes.

Response & Next Steps

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site to meet rescue teams and survivors, promising a full inquiry. DNA teams labored over remains, with authorities stressing caution in identifying victims .

India’s aviation regulator is considering grounding all Boeing 787s until inspectors complete safety checks. Boeing has pledged cooperation, and the global investigation will benefit from the recovered black box.

Why an India Crash Matters

• Deadliest Dreamliner crash: This marks the first fatal incident involving Boeing 787s since their 2011 launch.
• Aviation safety concerns: It refocuses attention on Boeing, pilot training, and aircraft maintenance, echoing past incidents in Kozhikode (2020) and Mangaluru (2010).
• Global implications: With international passengers onboard, coordinated investigations signal a shared urgency in aviation transparency.

What Happens Next

As authorities analyze black box data, attention will focus on critical queries: flaps, altitude control, crew response, and runway compliance. Experts will also examine training protocols and air traffic procedures. Families await closure; passenger lists reveal nationals from India, the UK, Portugal, Canada, and more .

Final Reflections

The recovery of the black box marks progress in an investigation shadowed by grief. For thousands, especially Bhoomi Chauhan, it’s a moment of life’s fragility versus destiny’s grace. Aviation—as a field—must now answer hard questions with equal parts empathy and engineering precision. With each cockpit recording extracted, we edge closer to turning this disaster into lessons that can save lives.

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