Young medical students, engrossed in the routine normalcy of their demanding schedule, were having lunch, completely unaware that within seconds, the order anchoring their world would dissolve into irreversible chaos as a passenger aircraft disintegrated through the ceiling of their hostel, ending lives not yet fully lived. On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed moments after its take-off, collapsing onto the B.J. Medical College hostel, thereby leaving over 200 souls perished, including five students of the hostel on the ground. This report engages with available data—aircraft integrity, operational protocols, and systemic oversight—while recognizing the broader existential truth: that life, however structured, remains vulnerable to collapse when complexity fails silently.

While news outlets conduct TV debates trying to unravel the exact details of the airplane crash and social media netizens forge their own tales of narratives —covering everything from mechanical engine failures and serious miscalculations by Air India employees, inefficiency of pilot and the alleged negligence in the aircraft’s construction to more mysterious or conspiratorial geopolitical factors, the incontrovertible fact of the magnitude of the loss is undeniable. Although no conclusive data has yet been emerged to pinpoint the sole responsibility of the crash which claimed so many innocent lives, this report aims to follow the path of this tragedy, address the emotional turmoil that ensues, and acknowledge the unsettling reality that, even in a world that seems orderly and predictable, uncertain chaos can strike any moment.

Introduction: A fragile order of the Skies -

On June 12, 2025, around 1:38 PM IST, Air India Flight 171—a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, considered to be one of the safest airplanes on a long-haul route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick—unexpectedly collapsed within a few seconds of its take-off. This incident marked one of the deadliest aviation catastrophes in recent Indian history, being the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction in 2011. The flight was carrying 242 passengers–169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, 7 Portuguese nationals, 1 Canadian, and 11 children, along with 12 senior crew members when it lost altitude, issued a distress signal, and plunged upon the B.J. Medical College doctors’ hostel, where a group of medical students had gathered for lunch. Since the plane was just taking off for its journey, the fuel tank was full and was carrying almost 1,25,000 litres of fuel. The conclusive reason for the horrific scale of the crash that resulted in at least 241 confirmed deaths, who were on board, leaving the nation in mourning and garnering global concerns regarding aviation safety, has not been established yet. More than 70 people also died at the medical college, including at least 5 medical students and many PG residents. Many have claimed it could be due to a flap system failure, a landing gear issue, or even errors by the pilots. However, eyewitnesses have shared that the aircraft was on fire before it collapsed, which raises concerns about possible structural or mechanical failures while in the air.

Among the passengers onboard the plane were several VIPs and notable business figures, including a former Chief Minister of Gujarat, a senior NRI diplomat, and two delegates from the global medical research community, although their identities are still being verified. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have all shared their heartfelt condolences, urging for complete accountability and a rigorous investigation.

As investigations continue, attention has naturally shifted to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner itself. This aircraft, known for its advanced technology and solid safety record, has recently found itself in the hall of obloquy and controversy. Over the past year, Boeing has faced increased regulatory scrutiny due to a series of aggravating technical issues, production defects, and whistle-blower claims involving various aircraft models, including the 737 MAX and the 787 series. This report aims to explore the Flight 171 crash from multiple aspects. It will present the facts surrounding the incident, delve into the structural and procedural questions that arise from the wreckage, and place this tragedy within the larger context of safety oversight challenges in global aviation. Ultimately, the incident advances the harsh truth that even the most meticulously engineered systems can fail under unexpected pressures.

After the most tragic incident in the airline history of India, Tata Group - the parent company of Air India announced Rs. 1 crore as compensation to the family of each person who lost their life in this tragedy and will cover all the medical expenses of injured persons. The group also announced its intention to provide support in rebuilding the hostel where the flight crashed.

Initially, it was declared that all the passengers lost their lives. However, a British citizen of Indian ethnicity, Vishwashkumar Ramesh from Leicester, seated on seat 11 A, was declared the sole survivor among the passengers on board. Many media houses reported that he opened the emergency exit and jumped as the plane was descending. He was immediately shifted to the nearest hospital and is currently undergoing treatment.

Later, Air India arranged two relief flights - one each from Mumbai and Delhi to Ahmedabad for the next of kin of passengers and crew members of the flight, so that they could reach Ahmedabad. All the flight operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport, Ahmedabad, were cancelled until further notice.

Indian Medical Association expresses condolences:

Indian Medical Association (IMA) expressed deep sorrow over the incident and requested all the members of the IMA Gujarat branch to visit the BJ Medical College and volunteer. IMA, through their social media, requested all the doctors, volunteers, and blood donors to visit the hospital and volunteer for the cause.

Following the incident, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu visited the crash site and said an investigation has been initiated to determine the root cause of the crash. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that about 1000 DNA tests will be carried out to identify the body of the deceased. He further said, the process of collecting DNA from the family members of passengers has been completed. At around 9 AM on Friday, PM Narendra Modi visited where the crash took place, and the injured are being treated.

Preliminary Findings from the Crash Investigation :

Experts have conducted a preliminary analysis and found that Air India Flight AI171 tried to take off with a non-standard setup :

The landing gear was still down during the takeoff roll. The flaps were adjusted, but not to the typical angle needed for a proper lift-off. These actions are not standard Protocol for a Boeing 787-8 within a typical takeoff setup.

The landing gear generally stays down only until the plane lifts off, and then it’s retracted right away to minimize the drag.

Flap settings are essential for generating the right lift at lower speeds; miscalculations can seriously affect the takeoff performance of a flight.

This unusual setup might have delayed the lift-off, leading to the aircraft either overrunning the runway or stalling mid-air while trying to climb, as many experts are implicating.

It is important to note that these are just expert reveals and preliminary findings that have been made public right now. To find the root cause or conclusive reason for this fatal crash, several agencies are leading a swift investigation into the matter.

Ongoing Investigation & International Assistance

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India is conducting the leading investigation. Given the international aspects of the Boeing 787 aircraft and its parts, several major global aviation organizations are lending their support, such as:

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), USA

UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB)

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), USA

GE Aerospace, which manufactured the engines for the aircraft.

All these agencies are mainly concentrating on:

Piecing together the aircraft’s last moments using flight data

Reviewing maintenance records, crew qualifications, and air traffic control communications.

Figuring out if a mechanical failure, human error, or a systems malfunction played a key role in the crash.

A “black box” is a term used to describe two essential flight recorders found in commercial airplanes: the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), which keeps track of important flight details like altitude, speed, and engine settings, and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), which records conversations among the crew and sounds from the cockpit. These devices play a crucial role in piecing together what happened before a crash. In the aftermath of the Gujarat plane crash involving Air India Flight AI171, one of the black boxes has been found, and the same is currently under investigation —but it’s still unclear whether it’s the FDR or the CVR. The recovered device is said to be in good condition and is currently being analyzed, while the search for the second recorder is still ongoing.

The recovery of the black box and the ongoing investigation might shed some light on the situation, perhaps even bring a sense of accountability. However, they can’t ease the unimaginable grief of the families who have lost their children. There’s a unique kind of heartbreak that comes when the natural order is turned upside down—when parents are left to grieve the young lives they were supposed to protect, nurture, and, in time, become the ones offering care and comfort back. This isn’t just a personal loss; it’s a tear in the very fabric of morality that gives life its meaning. In times like these, we are harshly reminded that life isn’t fair or certain, and that our systems, no matter how sophisticated, are still deeply flawed in their humanity.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of The Jamia Review or its members.

Unfolding of the Cataclysmic Airplane Crash:  A Nation in Shock as Dreamliner Turns into a Descending Horror

War is not merely a failure of diplomacy, but a culmination of unresolved ideologies, historical trauma, fear, and a cycle of violence. Since independence, India and Pakistan have been locked in recurring military confrontations—1947, 1965, 1971, and Kargil in 1999—each conflict deepening mistrust. The April 22, 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, claiming 28 lives, shattered Kashmir’s peace and reignited tensions. This brutal act exposed how radicalism fractures harmony, integrity and unity, diverting faith into tools of blind hatred and bigotry to justify cruelty. The article explores the military and diplomatic responses by both governments and how they further strained an already fragile geopolitical and socio-political landscape in the Indian subcontinent.

Sequences of retaliatory development in the Indian subcontinent 

Within 24 hours of the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 28 civilian lives, New Delhi declared Pakistani military diplomats (Defence, Naval and Air Advisors) persona non grata and expelled them from the Pakistani High Commission. All Pakistani visas were suspended amid accusations that Islamabad had “

” by sponsoring cross-border terrorism.

Simultaneously, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), joined by Home Minister Amit Shah, EAM S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior officials. The CCS endorsed a two-pronged response: condemn Pakistan’s role in terror and prepare proportionate military retaliation under 

, to the Pahalgam massacre. Two attackers, Ali

Bhai alias Talha and Asif Fauji, were confirmed Pakistani nationals; digital forensics traced them to safe houses in Muzaffarabad. A third suspect, Hashim Moosa, emerged as a former Pakistani Special Service Group commando, suggesting direct military collusion. India presented this dossier to the 

, urging TRF’s designation as a terrorist entity.

At 02:00 AM IST on May 7, Indian forces launched 

, striking nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK with precision-guided munitions. Satellite imagery released by the 

 confirmed the destruction of training facilities and ammunition depots. Official statements emphasized that the strikes were “

.” PM Modi hailed the operation as a decisive message: terrorism against Indian citizens would meet firm retaliation.

Between May 7–9, Pakistan retaliated with an unprecedented barrage: over 600 armed drones and short-range missiles targeted Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jammu and Amritsar

 intercepted most UAVs and missiles, though at least eight drones reached Rajasthan, causing blackouts in Jaisalmer and Barmer. Reconnaissance drones probed Pathankot and other airbases; eight ballistic missiles aimed at Jammu towns were shot down by S-400 and Akash batteries, with debris inflicting minor damage on border villages.

Indiscriminate Shelling in Civilian areas

Late on May 7, Pakistan unleashed artillery and mortar fire across the Line of Control and the International Border, striking civilian areas in Poonch and Tangdhar. Official Army figures reported 15 civilian deaths and 43 injuries—schools, markets and parks came under fire. Pre-dawn on May 8, heavy-calibre rounds struck the historic 

 in Poonch, killing four worshippers (including an ex-serviceman) and wounding 45 more, while reducing parts of the complex to rubble. The Ministry of External Affairs condemned these attacks as “

,” branding them war crimes under international law and warning of calibrated counter-fire for every violation.

On May 7, amid mounting hostilities, schools and colleges across Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan border districts were ordered closed. Concurrently, the Home Ministry initiated 

, a nationwide civil-defence drill in 244 districts, featuring air-raid sirens, blackout simulations, evacuation rehearsals and public training—designed to fortify civilian readiness against any further escalation.

In the wake of drone incursions on May 8, India suspended operations at 32 domestic airports until May 15 (5:29 AM IST). Pakistan, under international pressure for keeping its airspace open despite hostilities, closed its skies that same day.

Throughout May 8–9, Pakistani artillery and mortar units continued shelling Poonch, Rajouri and Tangdhar, disrupting daily life, damaging infrastructure, and deepening civilian suffering. India’s counter-battery fire targeted militant positions but took care to avoid escalating into full-scale war.

On May 10, U.S. President Donald Trump unexpectedly tweeted that he had brokered an immediate India–Pakistan ceasefire, despite Vice President JD Vance’s prior declaration that the conflict was 

“none of the United States’ business".

 Washington quickly clarified there was no formal agreement; India dismissed the ceasefire claim outright. News of the ceasefire was greeted with relief on both sides of the border and Pakistan's airport authority said its airspace had been fully reopened. However, subsequent violations were reported which was confirmed by a video posted by Omar Abdullah, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He captioned on X, 

"What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!! This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up.” 

for any further breaches, and Pakistan accused India of aggression—each side trading accusations in a tumultuous narrative war.

, which allocated eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India and western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan. Delhi justified this unprecedented move by citing Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism. Islamabad protested, warning that millions depend on these waters. Legal analysts warn that unilateral withdrawal could violate the 

potentially dragging the dispute before international courts.

The Pahalgam attack of April 22, 2025 triggered one of the most serious Indo-Pak escalations in decades. New Delhi’s swift diplomatic reprisals and Operation Sindoor was a predecessor to the subsequent drone and missile barrages, coupled with indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas and places of worship, by Pakistani forces generating a grave humanitarian crisis drawing international condemnation. The exasperating suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty represented an unprecedented rupture in bilateral cooperation. Together, these developments illustrate a dangerously frayed theatre of geopolitics on the subcontinent: any spark has the potential to set off a blaze.

Reignition of Burning Fires Along the Border: Exploring Terror, Escalation, and the Termination of Diplomatic Treaties Amidst the Ongoing Indo-Pak Conflict

Articles by Sritama Chakrabortty

Unfolding of the Cataclysmic Airplane Crash: A Nation in Shock as Dreamliner Turns into a Descending Horror

Reignition of Burning Fires Along the Border: Exploring Terror, Escalation, and the Termination of Diplomatic Treaties Amidst the Ongoing Indo-Pak Conflict

Unfolding of the Cataclysmic Airplane Crash: A Nation in Shock as Dreamliner Turns into a Descending Horror

Reignition of Burning Fires Along the Border: Exploring Terror, Escalation, and the Termination of Diplomatic Treaties Amidst the Ongoing Indo-Pak Conflict