Key Points
- Cockpit audio from Air India Flight AI-171 reveals the pilot’s desperate Mayday call seconds before the crash: “NO POWER… NO THRUST… GOING DOWN…”
- The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing at least 274 people, including passengers, crew, and residents.
- Only one passenger, a British national of Indian origin, survived the disaster.
- Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the victims.
- The crash site was a residential hostel; a massive rescue and recovery operation followed.
- The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has recovered the black box and launched a full investigation, with support from central agencies and a high-level government panel.
New Delhi: India is reeling from one of its deadliest aviation disasters after Air India Flight AI-171, a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12. The tragedy claimed at least 274 lives, including passengers, crew, and residents in the densely populated Meghaninagar neighborhood.
The Final Moments: A Chilling Cockpit Call
A harrowing five-second cockpit audio has emerged, capturing the terror in the flight’s last moments. Senior pilot Captain Sumit Sabharwal’s voice crackled over Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control (ATC):
“MAYDAY… MAYDAY… MAYDAY… NO POWER… NO THRUST… GOING DOWN…”
This desperate Mayday call was the last communication from the cockpit. ATC’s attempts to re-establish contact went unanswered, and within a minute, the aircraft plunged into a residential hostel, igniting a massive blaze and causing devastation on the ground.
Timeline of the Tragedy
- 1:39 pm: Flight AI-171, with 242 people onboard (230 passengers, 10 cabin crew, 2 pilots), takes off for London Gatwick.
- Within seconds: The aircraft reaches about 650 feet before rapidly losing altitude.
- Mayday call: Captain Sabharwal declares an emergency, citing total loss of power and thrust.
- 1:40 pm: The plane crashes into the hostel block of a medical college in Meghaninagar, about 2 km from the runway.
- 2:00 pm: Civil Aviation Ministry receives initial crash reports.
- 2:30 pm: Ahmedabad airport suspends all flight operations.
- 5:00 pm: Partial resumption of airport services after emergency protocols.
Victims and Survivor
The crash killed 274 people, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Only one passenger, a British national of Indian origin, miraculously survived and is undergoing treatment. The tragedy also claimed the lives of local residents and medical students, as the aircraft struck a residential hostel.
Rescue and Response
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu described the aftermath as “very difficult,” praising the swift action of emergency teams from the Gujarat government, the Centre, and local agencies. Firefighters, police, and medical personnel worked through the wreckage to douse flames, recover bodies, and assist survivors.
Investigation Launched: Black Box Recovered
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), supported by central agencies including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), is leading the probe. The aircraft’s black box was recovered on Friday evening, and investigators are now analyzing flight data and cockpit voice recordings to piece together the events leading up to the crash.
A high-level, multi-disciplinary government panel has also been formed to assess the incident, review existing safety protocols, and recommend improvements to prevent future tragedies.
A Nation in Mourning, a Search for Answers
The crash of AI-171 has sent shockwaves across India and the global aviation community. The loss of so many lives, including prominent figures and young students, has prompted an outpouring of grief and urgent calls for answers. As investigators work to determine the cause whether technical failure, human error, or other factors the nation awaits a detailed report and renewed commitments to aviation safety.
