The final moments of Air India Flight 171 were filled with escalating urgency, culminating in a tragic crash near Ahmedabad Airport on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The pilot's last words, relayed to Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control (ATC), paint a chilling picture of a rapidly developing crisis: "Thrust not achieved… falling… Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!" These messages, now public, are central to understanding the sequence of events that led to the devastating incident.
Sources indicate that the flight, bound for London, took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:37 PM. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot, identified as Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a highly experienced pilot with over 8,200 flying hours, communicated the distress signals. Sabharwal, who was nearing retirement, reported the critical failure to gain adequate thrust, followed by the alarming realization that the aircraft was losing altitude. The "Mayday" call, an internationally recognized distress signal, underscored the severity of the situation. The communication line during this transmission was reportedly weak. The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, then crashed into a medical hostel, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life. Initial reports indicate that 241 passengers and crew members were onboard, with only one survivor. Additionally, at least 24 people on the ground perished in the accident.
The distress calls suggest a potential engine malfunction or a failure in the aircraft's ability to generate sufficient lift. Aviation experts suggest the longer runway roll hints at the possibility of the aircraft not having adequate thrust for take-off. However, authorities await data from the flight data and cockpit voice recorders to piece together what triggered the fatal failure of thrust that doomed the flight. There were no requests for runway changes, thrust adjustments or flap reconfigurations. Weather was stable, visibility was clear. Temperature was high, but within operational limits. CCTV footage from the airport confirmed the extended take-off roll. No visual or radar anomalies were noted.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered enhanced safety checks on Boeing 787 fleets, including fuel, engine, and hydraulic systems monitoring. A high-level panel and multiple agencies are conducting an extensive probe into the tragedy, with the black box data from the aircraft being decoded. The government has assured a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash and prevent similar incidents in the future. Preliminary investigations reveal that the jet had nearly exhausted the 3.5km runway at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport — longer than the usual 2.5 to 3km needed for a wide-bodied jet. No engine irregularities or pitch deviations were detected by ATC or ground personnel. All communication and safety protocols were followed.
The sole survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a 38-year-old British national, is being treated for injuries. He recounted the horrific scene, describing bodies all around him and the wreckage of the plane.
The crash has sent shockwaves through the aviation community and prompted a renewed focus on aircraft safety and maintenance protocols. The last words of the Air India pilot serve as a haunting reminder of the split-second decisions and challenges faced by pilots in emergency situations, and the critical importance of understanding the factors that contributed to this devastating event.
