Rescuers searched for missing people and aircraft debris in charred buildings after more than 240 people were killed in an Air India plane crash.

Air India Ltd.’s ambitious plans to transform itself from a stale, financially troubled carrier into a profitable world-class airline face their biggest test yet after the deadliest aviation accident in more than a decade.

An Air India plane crashed Thursday near a major international airport in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, the airline and the country’s government said.