Air India Crash: Pilots Issued ‘Mayday’ Call- Then There Was Complete Silence Says DGCA

Flight AI171 crashed minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad; pilots sent emergency distress call, 242 onboard including 169 Indians.

Ahmedabad | June 12, 2025 — The Air India AI171 flight bound for London Gatwick issued a “Mayday” distress call moments before crashing shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), there was no response from Air Traffic Control (ATC) following the distress call, which signaled a life-threatening emergency.

Also Read: Air India Ahmedabad-London Flight Latest Update: Plane Crashed Soon After Take-Off, 242 Onboard Including 53 British Nationals

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner took off from Runway 23 at 1:39 pm, carrying 242 people on board — including 230 passengers, 10 cabin crew, and 2 pilots. Among them, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 British, 1 Canadian, and 7 Portuguese passengers, Air India confirmed.

Also Read: What Does the Horrifying Crash Video of AI-171 Reveal?

Key Details:

• The aircraft failed to gain altitude, peaking at just 825 feet before crashing.
• A chilling 17-second video captured the moment of the crash, showing the jet plunging into a residential area, followed by a thick column of black smoke.
• Emergency teams, including over two dozen ambulances, rushed to the site as rescue and medical efforts intensified.
• Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with 8,200 hours of flight experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar (1,100 hours) were at the controls.
• Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he was personally monitoring the situation, urging swift coordination across emergency agencies.
• Air India has activated a passenger support helpline: 1800 5691 444, and is cooperating fully with the investigation.

What is a “Mayday” Call?

“Mayday” is an internationally recognized radio signal for grave emergencies. It is only used when there is an imminent danger to life, aircraft, or both — and in this case, was likely issued moments before catastrophic failure.

No Casualty Numbers Confirmed Yet

There is no official confirmation yet on casualties, though many injured passengers have been transported to nearby hospitals. The crash area remains cordoned off for rescue operations and investigation.

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Tags:

Air India, Ahmedabad Plane Crash, AI171 Mayday, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, DGCA India, Aviation Disaster, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, Ram Mohan Naidu, Emergency Response, London Gatwick Flight Crash