Ahmedabad – In a devastating turn of events, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed just minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing or injuring an unspecified number of people. The aircraft was carrying 242 individuals, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members, when it plummeted into a residential zone in Meghani Nagar. Before the crash, the flight issued an urgent MAYDAY call—the international aviation distress signal.
What Is a MAYDAY Call?
A MAYDAY call is a high-priority distress signal used in aviation when an aircraft faces an emergency that poses an immediate threat to life or safety. Derived from the French phrase “m’aider” (meaning “help me”), a MAYDAY is transmitted over radio to Air Traffic Control (ATC) and nearby aircraft, alerting authorities that urgent assistance is required.
These calls are triggered by events such as:
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Engine failure
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Fire or smoke onboard
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Loss of cabin pressure
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Critical technical malfunctions
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Medical emergencies
In the case of AI171, the MAYDAY call was transmitted shortly after takeoff, suggesting a catastrophic malfunction or system failure. However, the plane failed to respond to subsequent ATC communications, intensifying the gravity of the situation.
DGCA Investigation Underway
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a full-scale investigation into the crash. A team has been deployed to the site to recover the aircraft’s Flight Data Recorder (black box) and Cockpit Voice Recorder, which will be crucial in understanding what transpired during those final moments.
According to a senior DGCA official:
“On June 12, 2025, Air India B787 Aircraft VT-ANB, operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff. There were 242 individuals aboard, including two pilots and ten cabin crew.”
The plane was captained by Captain Sumit Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flight experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours to his credit.
Possible Causes Being Explored
Initial assessments suggest that the aircraft may have suffered an engine failure or a loss of thrust, which could explain the sudden MAYDAY call. Experts are also not ruling out a bird strike, fuel system failure, or avionics malfunction. The aircraft reportedly crashed at an altitude of just 624 feet, with its landing gear still extended, indicating it never reached stable flight.
As visuals of debris and plumes of smoke from the crash site continue to surface, rescue teams are working tirelessly, and families await word on loved ones. The DGCA’s preliminary findings, along with data from the recovered black box, will offer greater clarity in the coming days.
This heartbreaking tragedy has once again raised questions about aviation safety protocols, engine performance, and emergency preparedness in India’s rapidly expanding civil aviation sector.
