Former Pilot Terry Tozer Reacts Strongly to Tragic Air India Crash in Ahmedabad
In a deeply unsettling aviation tragedy, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on the afternoon of June 12, 2025.
The ill-fated flight, designated AI-171, was en route to London Gatwick and was carrying a total of 242 individuals on board, comprising 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Among those on the flight were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian.
Tragically, all lives were lost in the devastating accident, which occurred just moments after the aircraft left the runway.
The plane crashed into a densely populated residential zone in Meghaninagar, a neighborhood situated near the airport perimeter. In its downward trajectory, the aircraft slammed into the doctors’ hostel of a local medical college, triggering a fiery explosion and widespread destruction.
Eyewitness Accounts and Surveillance Footage Reveal a Tragic Turn
Airport CCTV footage from runway 23 showed what initially appeared to be a routine and smooth takeoff. The aircraft began its ascent normally at 1:39 PM.
However, within seconds of liftoff, it became apparent that something had gone critically wrong. Rather than gaining altitude as expected, the Dreamliner maintained an abnormally low flight path, skimming perilously close to the city’s buildings.
For a brief and haunting moment, the plane flew nearly level just above the urban skyline. Then, in a terrifying turn, it began to lose height rapidly.
Roughly 30 seconds after takeoff, the aircraft descended sharply and crashed directly into the hostel building. The impact resulted in a massive explosion, with fire engulfing the wreckage and thick, black smoke rising high into the sky.
Debris was scattered across the area, with glass shards and fragments of concrete raining down on the surrounding buildings and streets.
The site of the crash, intended to serve as a sanctuary for medical professionals, was instantly transformed into a scene of horror and devastation.
Emergency responders rushed to the site but were unable to save anyone on board. The destruction extended well beyond the hostel, impacting nearby structures and displacing dozens of residents.
Former Chief Minister and Foreign Nationals Among the Victims
Adding to the shock and gravity of the disaster, it was later confirmed that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also on board the flight and perished in the crash. The loss of so many lives — including foreign nationals — has sent waves of grief and concern across India and abroad.
International embassies, particularly from the United Kingdom and Portugal, have been coordinating with Indian authorities and families of the victims. British officials confirmed that 53 of their citizens were aboard, heightening the international dimension of the incident.
Terry Tozer, Aviation Expert and Former Pilot, Weighs In
Reacting to the tragedy, veteran airline pilot and aviation commentator Terry Tozer offered his expert perspective in an interview with GB News.
Tozer expressed deep concern over the incident, especially given the modern design and technological robustness of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
“It is scarce for a state-of-the-art aircraft like the Dreamliner to suffer such a catastrophic failure shortly after takeoff,” Tozer said. He emphasized that public transport aircraft are designed and certified to withstand severe technical malfunctions, including complete engine failure during critical phases such as takeoff.
Tozer reiterated the highly regulated nature of commercial aviation, noting that aircraft like the Dreamliner undergo extensive maintenance checks and are built with redundant systems designed to prevent precisely such outcomes.
“The fact that the aircraft couldn’t maintain altitude after a seemingly normal takeoff is a major puzzle. There are a multitude of possibilities, but at this point, it’s all speculation,” he said.
Too Early to Determine the Cause
When prompted further, Tozer cautioned against premature conclusions. “We won’t have any concrete answers until the flight data and cockpit voice recorders are recovered and analyzed.
The plane likely climbed to at least 1,000 feet, but something extremely unusual occurred soon after,” he noted.
He also raised the rare but serious consideration of potential external interference. “While exceedingly rare, the possibility of some form of external disruption cannot be completely ruled out.
This could include anything from bird strikes to sabotage. However, that remains purely speculative until more facts are available.”
Investigations Underway as Questions Multiply
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulatory body, along with Air India and Boeing representatives, has launched a full-scale investigation.
A team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has arrived at the site and is working to piece together the final moments of the flight. Recovery of the aircraft’s black boxes will be critical in understanding the chain of events that led to this unprecedented disaster.
Meanwhile, the crash has sparked urgent conversations about aviation safety protocols, aircraft maintenance standards, and air traffic control procedures. Families of the victims, both in India and abroad, have demanded swift action and transparent communication from the authorities.
A Nation in Mourning
As rescue crews continue to clear the wreckage and medical teams work to identify remains, the country is left mourning one of its worst aviation disasters in recent years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders from across the political spectrum have expressed condolences, and national flags were flown at half-mast across government buildings on Friday.
The incident has also prompted an outpouring of international solidarity, with leaders from the UK, Portugal, and Canada offering their condolences and support.
Memorials are being planned in multiple cities, including Ahmedabad and London, to honor those who lost their lives.
In the days to come, the focus will shift from rescue to recovery — and from grief to accountability. But for now, the skies over Ahmedabad carry the heavy shadow of an unimaginable tragedy.
