In a heartbreaking turn of events, an Air India plane has crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 241 people in what is now being called the worst aviation disaster in more than ten years.

The flight was carrying 242 people, including passengers and crew, when it went down just minutes after leaving Ahmedabad Airport in western India. Only one person is reported to have survived.

As families around the world begin to mourn, major questions remain: how could a Boeing 787 Dreamliner—one of the safest aircraft in service—crash so suddenly?

We’re following the story as it develops. Here's everything we know so far.

What Happened Moments After Takeoff?

Air India Flight AI171 took off from Ahmedabad at 1:38 PM local time on Thursday, heading for London’s Gatwick Airport.

But within just a few moments, the pilots issued a distress call. Soon after, all communication from the cockpit went silent.

Tracking data shows the aircraft reached just 625 feet before it began to descend sharply. Within five minutes of takeoff, the plane crashed.

Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the head of India's civil aviation authority, confirmed the timeline and called it a “devastating accident.”

Videos from the scene show the plane dropping from the sky before exploding in a massive fireball. Thick black smoke filled the air as the crash site burned.

Tragically, the plane crashed into a crowded part of the city—slamming into the hostel building of BJ Medical College.

According to officials, at least five medical students on the ground were killed, and around 50 others were injured.

Who Was Onboard?

The airline confirmed there were 229 passengers and 12 crew members onboard. Most of them were Indian nationals, but others included British, Portuguese, and Canadian citizens.

Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, as confirmed by a spokesperson from Prime Minister Modi's BJP party.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson released a video expressing his condolences and said the injured had been taken to local hospitals.

Families are still grappling with the sudden loss. Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek and his husband, Jamie Meek, were both on the flight. Jamie’s brother, Nick, told The Times they had expected him to return to Birmingham that evening.

“He was supposed to land at 6:30 PM and pick up his dog from our mum’s place,” he said. “We were just waiting for him.”

What Could Have Caused the Crash?

Right now, there’s no clear answer as to what caused the crash.

Investigators have just begun their work, and experts are closely reviewing footage and early data. One theory points to a rare dual engine failure.

Veteran pilot and aviation analyst Guy Hirst said the crash may have been caused by bird strikes—something Ahmedabad Airport has struggled with in the past.

“They’ve done a lot of work to keep birds away, but flocks are still a real danger,” he said.

He also added that the way the plane came down didn’t suggest a stall or loss of control. “It looked like both engines may have failed at once. The wings were level and the nose wasn’t pitched up. It was eerily symmetrical—which is rare.”

Credit to - abc.net.au