Ahmedabad, June 8, 2025 — What began as a routine flight turned into a nightmare above the skies of Gujarat on Sunday morning when a small passenger aircraft crash-landed near the outskirts of Ahmedabad. While rescue teams acted swiftly and investigations are ongoing, survivors of the horrifying incident are now coming forward, sharing firsthand accounts of the minutes that changed their lives forever.
The Incident
The aircraft, a chartered twin-engine turboprop with 19 passengers and 2 crew members on board, was en route from Udaipur to Ahmedabad when it experienced a sudden loss of engine power just 14 minutes before its scheduled landing at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. According to early reports, the plane attempted an emergency landing in an open field near Hansol, barely 4 kilometers from the runway.
The impact severely damaged the fuselage but, miraculously, no fatalities were reported. However, six passengers sustained serious injuries, and all onboard were left shaken by the ordeal.
Voices from the Ground
“It felt like the plane just dropped out of the sky,” said Meera Joshi, a marketing executive who was returning to Ahmedabad after a business trip. “There was a loud thud, followed by screams. Luggage flew. People were praying. It was chaos.”
Another survivor, Raj Malhotra, a 38-year-old IT professional, recounted the eerie silence moments before the crash. “You could hear a pin drop. The engines stuttered and stopped. The crew tried to calm us, but we knew something was terribly wrong. The ground came rushing up.”
The co-pilot, who sustained a broken arm but remained conscious, reportedly helped passengers evacuate the aircraft through the rear exit. Several survivors described her as “heroic.”
Swift Rescue and Response
Emergency response teams from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and Gujarat Disaster Response Force (GDRF) reached the crash site within 15 minutes. Ambulances, fire trucks, and local volunteers worked quickly to assist and transport the injured to Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad.
For many survivors, the psychological toll is just beginning. “Even now, every time I close my eyes, I feel like I’m falling,” said 26-year-old student Ankit Verma, who suffered minor injuries but says he’s afraid to fly again.
Local residents who witnessed the crash are also grappling with the emotional impact. “I saw the plane wobble, and then it just crashed into the field,” said Rafiq Ansari, a farmer whose land became the unlikely landing site. “It was terrifying. But I thank God it didn’t explode.”
“The crew’s quick thinking and the pilot’s skill likely saved everyone,” said DGCA official Mahesh Patel during a press briefing. “Had the plane veered even slightly, it could’ve crashed into a nearby residential area.”
Investigation Underway
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a full investigation into the crash. Preliminary analysis suggests a mechanical failure in one engine, but the black box recovered from the site will provide a clearer picture in the coming days.
The aircraft belonged to a private aviation company that has now grounded all similar planes in its fleet for safety checks.
The Road Ahead
While authorities have praised the professionalism of the crew and the speed of the emergency response, they acknowledge that the incident is a stark reminder of the importance of aviation safety, especially among private carriers.
“We were lucky this time,” said Gujarat’s Civil Aviation Minister Renu Desai. “Let this be a wake-up call to review standards, improve oversight, and ensure passenger safety is never compromised.”
ALSO READ :Strawberry Moon 2025: The Night the Sky Blushed