Watch Live: Union Civil Aviation Minister to Address Nation at 1:30 PM on Ahmedabad Air India Flight AI171
New Delhi, June 14, 2025 — In the wake of India’s deadliest aviation disaster in over a decade, the Union Minister for Civil Aviation is set to address the nation today regarding the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 near Ahmedabad, which has claimed 274 lives.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation will hold its first official press briefing this afternoon, responding to growing concerns over flight safety, aircraft maintenance, and the sequence of events that led to the catastrophic crash of the Boeing 787 shortly after takeoff.
Scroll down to watch the live briefing by the Union Minister of Civil Aviation at 1.30 pm today.
Air India Flight AI171 Crash: What We Know So Far
On June 12, Air India Flight AI171, bound for London, took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, at 1:38 PM IST. Within 50 seconds, at an altitude of just 625 feet, the aircraft plummeted sharply, crashing into the B.J. Medical College hostel and mess building, triggering a massive fire.
Casualties & Survivors
- 241 out of 242Â passengers and crew on board perished.
- Among the deceased are former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and an Air India crew member from Pune.
- 33 fatalities on the ground, mostly students and staff at the medical college, bringing the total death toll to 274.
Miraculous Survivors & Narrow Escapes
- Vishwashkumar Ramesh, seated in 11A, survived by escaping through an emergency exit onto a nearby building.
- Bhoomi Chauhan, who missed the flight by 10 minutes, called it a “divine intervention.”
What Caused the Air India Flight Crash?
Preliminary investigations suggest:
- Possible engine failure or improper flap configuration leading to insufficient thrust during takeoff.
- The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) has been recovered, while search efforts continue for the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR).
Multiple agencies, including:
- DGCA (India)
- AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau)
- NTSB (US National Transportation Safety Board)
- FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)
- Boeing & GE Aerospace
are collaborating on the probe. The DGCA has ordered immediate inspections of all Air India Boeing 787s with GE GEnx engines.
Government Response & Compensation
- Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, who visited the crash site, will address the nation live today.
- PM Narendra Modi, who met victims’ families, called the incident a “heartbreaking national tragedy.”
- Tata Group, Air India’s parent company, announced ₹1 crore compensation for each victim’s family.
- The flight number AI171 has been retired as a mark of respect.
What to Expect in Today’s Address
The Minister’s briefing is expected to cover:
- Preliminary findings from the black box.
- Root cause of the mechanical failure.
- New flight safety directives for Indian airlines.
- Support measures for victims’ families and affected civilians.
This tragedy has reignited debates on aviation safety, pilot training, and regulatory accountability, making the government’s response critical in restoring public trust.
Watch Live: Civil Aviation Minister’s Address
Stay updated with the latest developments as the Minister speaks:
