BREAKING NEWS: Air India Pilots Issued MAYDAY Call Moments Before Ahmedabad–London Flight Crash
In a harrowing and heart-stopping development, an Air India international flight traveling from Ahmedabad to London has reportedly crashed after issuing a desperate MAYDAY call to air traffic control. The incident occurred just moments after takeoff, sending shockwaves through aviation circles, families of passengers, and citizens across both India and the UK.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating as Flight AI-171, was scheduled to depart Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) in Ahmedabad at 4:45 AM local time. Carrying over 220 passengers and crew members, including students, business travelers, and families on vacation, the flight was a routine long-haul connection to London Heathrow (LHR).
But what began as a normal flight turned into tragedy within less than 15 minutes of departure.
Timeline of the Catastrophe
4:47 AM IST – Takeoff Cleared:
Flight AI-171 is cleared for takeoff on Runway 23. Weather conditions are reported to be stable—no major storms or fog, and visibility was acceptable for early-morning operations.
4:54 AM IST – Initial Trouble:
Just seven minutes into its climb, the aircraft reportedly began exhibiting irregular behavior. According to multiple ATC sources and flight tracking data, the plane made an unexpected leftward deviation from its programmed route, then began losing altitude rapidly.
4:56 AM IST – Mayday Call Sent:
The cockpit issued a MAYDAY call, the most severe type of distress signal a flight can declare. “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, Air India 171—we are experiencing engine failure and uncontrollable yaw,” the pilot’s voice crackled through ATC audio. The urgency in the voice was unmistakable. Air traffic controllers scrambled to clear surrounding airspace and prepare for an emergency return to Ahmedabad.
4:58 AM IST – Communication Lost:
Moments later, radar contact was lost. The aircraft had vanished from secondary radar and wasn’t responding to radio calls. Panic gripped the control tower.
5:02 AM IST – Crash Confirmed:
Local villagers near the Kheda district, approximately 50 km southwest of Ahmedabad, reported a massive explosion and smoke rising from a wooded area. Emergency services rushed to the scene, confirming the worst: Flight AI-171 had crashed, with debris scattered across several kilometers.
Eyewitness Accounts
Witnesses from nearby farms and villages described a terrifying scene:
“It looked like a giant bird spinning out of the sky,” said Rajesh Patel, a farmer who was working in the early dawn light. “Then there was a loud boom, and the ground shook. Black smoke rose like a tower.”
“We saw flaming debris falling,” said another witness, Meena Joshi. “It sounded like thunder. We had no idea it was an airplane at first.”
Within an hour, rescue teams, military personnel, and forensic units flooded the crash zone. Burnt wreckage, personal belongings, and haunting silence marked the area.
The Victims
As of now, no survivors have been officially reported. The passenger manifest included a heartbreaking cross-section of humanity:
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36 students traveling to the UK for studies.
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Several infants and children traveling with their parents.
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At least 12 British nationals.
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8 Air India flight crew members.
Family members gathered in panic at both Ahmedabad airport and London Heathrow, where arrival monitors continued to list AI-171 as “IN FLIGHT” for hours after the crash.
What Caused It? Theories and Black Box Search
Initial speculation suggests a critical engine malfunction shortly after takeoff, though that alone doesn’t usually lead to a crash. Pilots are trained to operate on one engine and land safely. However, unconfirmed reports suggest that the aircraft also suffered hydraulic system failure and potentially instrument malfunction, leaving pilots with limited control.
Aviation experts suggest a scenario involving dual-system failure combined with a loss of aerodynamic stability.
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a full-scale investigation, and the black box flight recorder and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) are being urgently searched for in the wreckage. British aviation authorities, as well as Boeing representatives, are reportedly en route to India to assist in the analysis.
Pilot Profile: Heroes in the Cockpit
Captain Arvind Mehra, a veteran with over 18,000 hours of flight time, was in command. Co-pilot First Officer Ayesha Khan was relatively new but well-trained and previously praised for calm under pressure. Aviation experts believe their swift decision to issue a MAYDAY may have prevented the plane from crashing into a heavily populated area.
They are already being hailed as heroes, even as the final moments of the flight remain under investigation.
Global Reaction and Mourning
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep condolences:
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic crash of AI-171. Our prayers are with the families of the victims. Rescue efforts are ongoing, and we will ensure a full and transparent investigation.”
UK Prime Minister also commented:
“This is a terrible day for all involved. We are coordinating with Indian authorities and supporting British families who may have lost loved ones.”
Vigils are already being planned in both Ahmedabad and London, as well as by Indian diaspora communities around the globe.
The Bigger Picture: Safety, Maintenance, and Scrutiny
While Air India has generally maintained a solid international safety record, the airline has faced operational challenges, crew shortages, and maintenance backlogs in recent years. The fleet of Dreamliners in particular has had several prior reports of technical snags, though none led to catastrophe—until now.
The airline has grounded all Boeing 787s pending further inspection and review. Public anger is already rising on social media, with calls for accountability, transparency, and compensation.
Conclusion: A Tragedy That Shook Two Nations
The crash of Flight AI-171 is more than a tragedy—it is a wake-up call. For the families affected, this is an unfillable void. For aviation authorities, it’s a challenge to ensure that a failure of this magnitude never happens again.
In the coming days, we will likely learn more about the final seconds in that cockpit, the technical breakdowns, and the brave efforts of the flight crew to save lives. Until then, the world mourns.
One flight. Two countries. 220 lives. One unforgettable heartbreak.
