A Boeing 787 crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad, India, on Thursday. The aircraft, operated by Air India, was bound for London with 242 people on board.
Reuters reports that at least 30 people were killed when the aircraft came down in a residential neighborhood near the airport. Aviation tracking site Flightradar24 reports the airplane is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
A local television channel showed video of the jet taking off over a residential area, and then it disappeared from view and a ball of fire and thick black smoke rose into the sky.
India’s CNN News-18 TV channel reported that the jet crashed into a building of a state-run Medical College. The aircraft came down on the dining area at lunchtime.
Rescue workers said some of the dead are medical students. Video of the scene shows the wreckage of the aircraft atop the building.
According to air traffic control, the crash happened at approximately 1:29 p.m. local time. Shortly after departing from runway 23, a “Mayday” call came from the jet. The tower controllers asked for more information and did not get a response.
This is the first crash of a 787-8. The aircraft was certified in August of 2011 and entered service in October.
There were reports from Indian media that the aircraft descended in a level attitude with the landing gear still extended and the takeoff flaps deployed. One of the questions investigators will be focusing on is if one or both engines were not producing thrust.
There are also reports that the aircraft had the emergency ram air turbine deployed, which is usually done if there is a loss of hydraulic or electrical power.
Air India released a statement confirming flight Al171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in the accident on Thursday after take-off.
The statement continued, “The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 232 passengers and 10 crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals. The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals.”
A local police chief told the media on site that there appear to be “no survivors” from the jet.
On X, Boeing said: “We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected.”
This is a developing story.