Vijay Rupani explored plane's cockpit months before Air India crash
04 Jul 2025

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who died in an Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, had visited a Boeing cockpit months before the incident.

Pictures of his visit to the Western India Institute of Aeronautics at Indus University have resurfaced after the tragic accident.

The images were taken during Rupani's visit on April 8, when he explored a decommissioned Boeing 737-200 aircraft.

Rupani was 'very curious' about how aircraft work
Aviation interest

During his visit, Rupani was seen sitting in the pilot's seat of the decommissioned Boeing 737-200 and interacting with Radhika Bhandari, Dean of Aviation at Indus University.

Captain Umang Jani from the Western India Institute of Aeronautics said that Rupani was "very curious" and asked many questions about how aircraft work.

Jani added he tried to explain various controls in the cockpit to Rupani during his visit.

Rupani had shared his experience on Instagram
Post

After the visit, Rupani had shared his experience on Instagram, writing, "Today...I visited the Western India Institute of Aeronautics. During this visit, I saw models of aircraft like Boeing 737, Cessna, Zenith and Mig-21 and real aircraft."

"During this, the conversation with the students of the Aviation Department became very energetic. I wish the Indian student to make his name bright on the global stage," he added.

Rupani had booked ticket for May 19 AI171 flight
Travel plans

Rupani had initially booked his ticket for May 19 on flight AI171 but canceled it.

He then booked a second ticket for June 5 but canceled it again before booking seat number 2D on flight AI 171 for June 12.

Flight AI 171 crashed shortly after takeoff, crashing into a hostel and canteen of a medical college.

The accident killed all (242) but one on board the plane and claimed the lives of more than 20 people on the ground.