Panic grips Ahmedabad as Air India’s London-bound flight crashes post-takeoff, with a Mayday signal hinting at a dire struggle.
Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad shuddered today. An Air India flight, AI-171, en route to London, crashed minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport. The Boeing 787, carrying 242 souls—including 2 pilots and 10 crew—plummeted near Meghani Nagar. At 1:39 PM, it soared, only to crash by 1:40 PM at 625 feet. Pilot Captain Sumeet Sabharwal sent a Mayday call, the last cry for help. Smoke filled the air. Hearts sank as rescue teams raced against time.
Mayday: A Lifeline in Chaos
The Mayday call echoed urgency. DGCA revealed Captain Sabharwal, with 8,200 hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, with 1,100 hours, faced a crisis. The signal alerted Air Traffic Control (ATC) of grave danger—engine failure or fire, perhaps. Silence followed. The plane fell outside the airport perimeter. “It’s a pilot’s final plea,” said an aviation expert. Rescue teams battled thick smoke. A bystander wept, “We heard the explosion!” Hope flickered dimly.
What is a Mayday Call?
A Mayday call is an emergency shout. Pilots use it when lives hang by a thread—engine trouble, fire, or hijack threats loom. Broadcast thrice—“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”—it’s no joke. ATC prioritizes it, clearing runways and summoning ambulances. The term stems from French “m’aider,” meaning “help me.” Less severe issues trigger a “Pan-Pan” call. “It’s a race to save lives,” noted a controller. Today, it signaled doom.
Origin and Impact
The “Mayday” term, rooted in “m’aider,” carries weight. It demands instant action—emergency landings, fire brigades ready. In Ahmedabad, it triggered a frantic response. NDRF teams sped from Gandhinagar. A 2025 study shows Mayday calls often precede 60% of fatal crashes. “Every second counts,” said a rescuer. The city held its breath. Families prayed. Did the crew fight till the end? The answer lies in the wreckage.
Aftermath and Questions
The crash left scars. Smoke rose like a dark omen. Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu rushed to oversee relief. Air India’s hotline, 1800 5691 444, buzzed with grief. “We’re shattered,” said a relative. Investigations begin. Was it mechanical failure or human error? A local sighed, “Why our city?” The Mayday call hints at a struggle. Will this tragedy rewrite safety norms? Ahmedabad mourns, seeking closure.
