Air India Flight Crash Pilot Final Call Mayday – Claims 274 Lives in India Deadliest Aviation

Air India Flight Crash, India was left reeling from shock and grief as news broke of the Air India Flight AI-171 crash, the country’s deadliest aviation disaster in nearly 15 years. The harrowing incident unfolded just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, as the aircraft failed to gain altitude beyond 650 feet. A chilling Mayday, Mayday… was the last message from the cockpit before the aircraft vanished from radar and slammed into a student hostel, killing 274 people, including those on the ground.

Tragic Crash of AI-171

Air India Flight Crash, On Saturday afternoon, the Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that Air India flight AI-171, en route from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, London, crashed just 36 seconds after takeoff at 1:39 PM. The aircraft a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was heavily fueled and carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and 2 pilots.

According to SK Sinha, Secretary of the Aviation Ministry, the pilots had managed to establish contact with Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control (ATC) moments before the crash. The pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, issued a distress call:

Mayday, Mayday – indicating a critical emergency onboard.

Air India Flight Crash, However, within moments of the mayday call, the aircraft plunged rapidly and crashed in Medhaninagar, a densely populated residential area just two kilometers from the airport. The crash site a college students’ hostel was engulfed in flames upon impact. Only one survivor, a British national of Indian origin, was found alive amid the devastation.

Critical 36 Seconds?

Air India Flight Crash, According to preliminary data shared by the Ministry, the aircraft appeared to have successfully taken off but failed to gain further height beyond 650 feet. Aviation experts speculate a possible dual engine thrust failure, bird strike, or sudden mechanical malfunction as potential reasons.

Visual evidence from the crash site shows extensive fire damage, suggesting a fuel-fed explosion occurred on impact. Survivors from the surrounding buildings and emergency teams reported seeing the aircraft descending at an abnormal angle before it collided with the structure.

Black Box Recovered

Air India Flight Crash, The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) – commonly referred to as the black box – have been recovered and are being examined by a joint team of DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) officials and Boeing investigators. Over 100 personnel and 40 aviation engineers are working on-site to recover debris and gather forensic evidence.

While the aircraft had just completed a Paris-Delhi-Ahmedabad flight without incident, officials are not ruling out undetected pre-existing faults. All possibilities mechanical, technical, and human error are on the table, said an official familiar with the investigation.

Who Were the Pilots?

Air India Flight Crash, The ill-fated flight was captained by Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned pilot with over 15 years of experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Sundar, a rising talent in Indian aviation. Both pilots were known for their professionalism and had no prior incidents on record.

Their last act of courage reporting the emergency and trying to regain control likely saved even more lives by preventing the aircraft from crashing into even denser urban surroundings.

Victims, Grief, and Survivors

Air India Flight Crash, This catastrophe claimed 274 lives, making it one of the most devastating air disasters in modern Indian history. Of these, 242 were on board, and 32 were residents and students in the hostel struck by the plane.

The sole survivor, identified as Rahul Mehta, was seated near the emergency exit and was reportedly thrown out due to the impact. Suffering multiple fractures and burns, Mehta remains in critical condition in Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where over 70 injured individuals from the crash site have also been admitted.

Relatives of passengers have begun arriving in Ahmedabad, many breaking down at the sight of body bags lined up for identification. The government has assured compensation packages, including:

• ₹25 lakh for families of deceased passengers
• ₹5 lakh for those injured on the ground
• Psychological counseling and support for affected families

Emergency Response and Government Action

Air India Flight Crash, Emergency services reached the crash site within 10 minutes, thanks to proximity to the airport. Despite swift action, the explosion and fire made rescue difficult.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief, stating:

This is a national tragedy. Every Indian mourns today. We are doing everything possible to support the families affected.

Met those injured in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, including the lone survivor and assured them that we are with them and their families in this tough time. The entire nation is praying for their speedy recovery.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025

A high-level inquiry committee has been formed, and Air India’s operations are under temporary review, especially for Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Aviation Safety in India

The last major aviation tragedy in India occurred in May 2010, when an Air India Express flight from Dubai to Mangaluru overshot the runway and crashed into a gorge, killing 158 passengers.

While India’s aviation sector has grown rapidly in the last decade, this incident exposes potential gaps in aircraft readiness, maintenance checks, and real-time emergency response protocols. Calls for independent audits of older aircraft in the fleets of both private and national carriers are already being heard.

Public Reactions

Air India Flight Crash, Social media is flooded with tributes to victims and messages demanding transparency and accountability. Aviation watchdogs and public interest groups are urging the DGCA to release a preliminary report within 30 days.

Meanwhile, questions are being raised:

• Were standard takeoff checklists followed?
• Was there a hidden technical issue missed during the Paris-Delhi leg?
• Could a quicker ATC intervention have helped?

Only a thorough investigation will answer these questions.

Final Thoughts

Air India Flight Crash, is more than a tragic accident it’s a wake-up call. While aviation accidents are rare, their consequences are catastrophic when they occur. The loss of 274 lives is a reminder of the critical importance of air safety, preparedness, and transparent crisis response.

As the nation mourns, the priority must now be healing the affected, learning from the disaster, and ensuring that such a catastrophe is never repeated.

For the full scoop and in-depth analysis, read the complete report on Air India Flight Crash The Times of India

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