In a catastrophic aviation disaster, Air India’s Dreamliner flight AI-171, en route from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 242 people on board. The aircraft’s final transmission—an urgent “Mayday” call—has reignited public and regulatory scrutiny into how such emergencies are handled, the rapid decision-making that pilots must undertake, and the role of Air Traffic Control (ATC) in crisis moments. The tragedy unfolded in seconds, leaving behind a trail of questions, national shock, and a renewed focus on aviation safety protocols.
Flight AI-171 took off from Runway 23 at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:39 PM IST on a routine international journey. Onboard were 232 passengers and 10 crew members, including citizens from India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada. Within moments of liftoff, the pilots issued the internationally recognised distress call: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.” It was the last communication from the cockpit before the plane disappeared from radar.
The final moments and immediate response
Commanded by Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned pilot with 8,200 hours of flying experience, and co-piloted by First Officer Clive Kundar with 1,100 hours, the crew encountered an emergency so severe that communication ceased after the initial distress signal. ATC made multiple attempts to reestablish contact, but the aircraft had already gone down just outside the airport’s perimeter, near the Dharpur area of Ahmedabad. Emergency services were on the scene quickly, but by then the wreckage was engulfed in flames.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the crash and announced an immediate investigation. Rescue teams are working to recover the black boxes—Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)—which are key to understanding the final moments.
Understanding the Mayday protocol
The term “Mayday,” derived from the French phrase “m’aider,” meaning “help me,” was designed in the early 20th century to be unmistakable over radio. It is repeated three times to prevent confusion with other phrases. When declared, all airspace activity is reprioritized, and the aircraft in distress becomes ATC’s sole focus. In AI-171’s case, the urgency was acknowledged, but events moved too quickly for intervention.
This crash stands as a grim reminder of how fragile air safety can be, despite rigorous systems and experienced professionals.
