The crash of Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, has devastated families, shocked the global aviation community, and triggered a large-scale investigation.

Here is the timeline of events following the crash, based on the best information available to us.

June 12, 2025 – The Day of the Crash

At 13:38 local time , Air India Flight AI-171, registered VT-ANB, departed from runway 23 at Ahmedabad Airport with 230 passengers and 12 crew members onboard. Seconds after lift off, the crew issued a Mayday call: “No thrust, not taking lift.”

Less than a minute later at 13:39, the aircraft crashed into the BJ Medical College in the Meghaninagar suburb, approximately 0.9 nautical miles beyond the runway. The first impact was at coordinates N23.056 E72.612. Wreckage was spread over a 200-meter area.

In total, 241 people onboard died, and 39 fatalities were confirmed on the ground, with many others injured. There was only one survivor from the flight itself.

June 13, 2025 – Initial Investigations Begin

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ruled out a bird strike—no bird remains were recovered at the crash site. Aircraft loading was reported as routine, eliminating a center-of-gravity issue. Both pilot error and simultaneous failure of both engines were considered unlikely. Authorities ordered inspections of all Boeing Dreamliners in the fleet, including B787-8 and B787-9 models.

India’s Civil Aviation Minister confirmed that the flight data recorder had been recovered, found on the rooftop of the doctors’ hostel near the crash site.

June 12–16, 2025 – Recovery Operations Continue

Clearing of the crash site began on June 12th. This was met with concerns from international bodies due to the possible tampering or loss of important evidence.

On June 15, it was reported that the aircraft had used almost the full length of Ahmedabad’s 3,505-meter (11,499 feet) runway, indicating a longer-than-normal takeoff roll.

On June 16, authorities confirmed the recovery of the cockpit voice recorder and the aircraft’s emergency locator transmitter (ELT). The second black box was also located.

June 18–20, 2025 – Expanded Inquiries

On June 18, the DGCA announced that inspections of Air India’s other Dreamliners had revealed no major safety deficiencies. The aircraft involved had been in compliance with all safety regulations.

On June 19, the Indian government disclosed that the aircraft had undergone a major maintenance check in 2023. The right-hand engine had been overhauled in March 2025, while the left-hand engine was inspected in April 2025. No issues had been reported prior to the flight.

Despite media reports suggesting the black boxes might be sent abroad for data recovery, the government clarified that no such decision had yet been made. The flight data recorder had been damaged in the post-crash fire, making initial local data extraction challenging.

On June 20, the AAIB confirmed that it was reviewing a prior case from London Gatwick in 2020 involving a Titan Airways A321, where fuel contamination had caused a dual engine anomaly. That incident was being considered as a possible precedent for what happened to AI-171.

June 24–26, 2025 – Black Box Analysis Underway

On June 24, the Civil Aviation Minister reaffirmed that the black box was still in India and being examined by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

On June 26, it was announced that the first black box had been recovered on June 13, and the second on June 16. Both were transported with full security to Delhi on June 24. By June 25, in the presence of officials from India’s AAIB and the United States’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), data from both boxes had been successfully downloaded. Analysis began immediately.

June 29, 2025 – Government Statement and International Oversight

India’s Civil Aviation Minister stated: “It has never happened that both engines shut down together.” Investigators were now analyzing the black box data from multiple angles including mechanical failure, fuel system malfunction, and sabotage.

India also accepted a proposal from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to include an international observer in the investigation. While this observer will not have investigative authority, they will provide technical input and ensure that global best practices are being followed, reinforcing transparency.

When Will There Be A Preliminary Report?

According to ICAO’s Annex 13, which sets out global standards and recommended practices for investigating aircraft accidents and incidents, the State responsible for the investigation is expected to issue a Preliminary Report within 30 days. This report may be made public or remain confidential, at the discretion of the investigating State.

As time passes, this tragedy increasingly appears to be the result of a rare and deeply unfortunate chain of events—one that likely could not have been anticipated. That said, without the official investigation report, any speculation remains premature and unhelpful, especially given the unprecedented nature of what occurred.