Ahmedabad, Gujarat – The Ahmedabad Plane Crash has emerged as one of India’s most devastating aviation disasters, claiming the lives of 241 passengers and crew members along with 19 people on the ground. The Air India Ahmedabad-Gatwick flight AI-171 crashed just 33 seconds after takeoff on June 12, 2025, leaving only one survivor from the 242 people aboard the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.
The Ahmedabad Plane Crash has not only shocked the aviation industry but has also revealed the profound psychological impact such tragedies have on airline personnel, particularly pilots who face the daily reality of operating similar aircraft under comparable conditions.
Unprecedented Pilot Response Following Tragedy
Four days after the Ahmedabad Plane Crash, Air India experienced an unusual spike in pilot sick leave reports, with 112 pilots calling in sick on June 16, 2025. This figure represents more than double the airline’s typical daily sick leave rate, highlighting the psychological trauma experienced by flight crews following the devastating accident.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol revealed in Parliament that the Ahmedabad Plane Crash prompted this significant increase in pilot absences. The 112 pilots who reported sick comprised 51 commanders (P1) and 61 first officers (P2), indicating that both senior and junior flight crew members were affected by the tragedy.
Normal Sick Leave Patterns Versus Post-Crash Statistics
Under normal circumstances, Air India—which employs an estimated 1,700 pilots—typically sees approximately 50 pilots report sick on any given day. However, the Ahmedabad Plane Crash caused this number to more than double, demonstrating the profound psychological impact of aviation accidents on industry professionals.
An airline official revealed that the increase in pilot sick leave began the day immediately following the Ahmedabad Plane Crash, with the spike reaching its peak on June 16. This pattern suggests that the psychological impact of the tragedy intensified over several days as pilots processed the magnitude of the disaster and its implications for their profession.
Government Response to Mental Health Crisis
The government acknowledged that the Ahmedabad Plane Crash had created mental health challenges for aviation personnel and outlined existing measures designed to address such situations. Minister Mohol confirmed that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had previously issued comprehensive medical circulars regarding mental health support for flight crews and air traffic controllers.
The DGCA circular, issued on February 22, 2023, established guidelines for both scheduled and non-scheduled operators as well as DGCA-empaneled medical examiners. These guidelines were already in place when the Ahmedabad Plane Crash occurred, providing a framework for addressing the mental health needs of aviation professionals during crisis situations.
Mental Health Assessment Protocols
Following the Ahmedabad Plane Crash, the importance of mental health monitoring in aviation has become increasingly apparent. The government has implemented quick and effective assessment methods that can be easily performed by DGCA-empaneled medical examiners during Class 1, 2, and 3 medical examinations required for aviation personnel.
These assessment protocols specifically address the psychological challenges that aviation professionals face, particularly in the aftermath of incidents like the Ahmedabad Plane Crash. The streamlined assessment process ensures that pilots and air traffic controllers receive appropriate mental health evaluations without creating additional bureaucratic burdens.
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Specialized Training Programs
The government has introduced standalone, customized training capsules specifically designed for flight crews and air traffic controllers to help manage adverse mental health effects. These training programs became particularly relevant following the Ahmedabad Plane Crash, as they provide aviation professionals with coping mechanisms for dealing with traumatic events within their industry.
The training capsules address various aspects of mental health management, including stress reduction techniques, trauma processing methods, and resilience building strategies that are specifically tailored to the unique challenges faced by aviation professionals.
Peer Support Programme Implementation
In response to mental health challenges highlighted by incidents like the Ahmedabad Plane Crash, aviation organizations have been advised to implement comprehensive Peer Support Programmes (PSP) for their employees. These programmes provide proactive and non-punitive support systems that assist flight crews and air traffic controllers in recognizing, coping with, and overcoming psychological challenges.
The Peer Support Programme represents a significant advancement in aviation mental health support, offering colleagues the opportunity to provide mutual assistance during difficult periods. This system proved particularly valuable following the Ahmedabad Plane Crash, as it allowed pilots to support one another through the trauma of witnessing such a devastating accident within their profession.
Industry-Wide Mental Health Initiatives
The Ahmedabad Plane Crash has underscored the critical importance of comprehensive mental health support systems throughout the aviation industry. Scheduled and non-scheduled operators, Flight Training Organizations (FTOs), and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have all been directed to ensure access to mental health support programmes for their personnel.
These industry-wide initiatives recognize that aviation accidents affect not only the immediate victims and their families but also the broader community of aviation professionals who must continue operating aircraft while processing the psychological impact of such tragedies. The Ahmedabad Plane Crash serves as a stark reminder of the interconnected nature of aviation safety and mental health, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and support systems to protect those who dedicate their careers to safe air transportation.
