Air India captain sent mayday less than minute before crash, say authorities
Air India captain sent mayday less than minute before crash, say authorities

Air India captain sent mayday less than minute before crash, say authorities

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Diverging Reports Breakdown

Air India Pilot’s Last Words to Air Traffic Control Before Crash That Killed 241 Passengers Released

“Mayday, mayday,” was the final radio message sent by the pilot of the Air India 171 flight bound for London, moments before it crashed to the ground, killing more than 270 people. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who was piloting the flight, sent a distress call to air traffic control less than a minute after it took off from Ahmedabad airport at 1.39 pm on Thursday, June 12. Initial investigations showed the plane had reached a height of 650ft after takeoff, after which it began to descend rapidly and hit the ground in Meghani Nagar. All but one of the 242 people on board were killed in one of India’s worst aviation disasters in decades. Family members broke down in uncontrollable tears as they were asked to submit DNA samples to help identify their loved ones who died in the tragic Air India crash.

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On Thursday, June 21, tragedy struck India’s aviation sector as Air India Flight 171, bound for London, crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, killing over 270 people

According to a Saturday briefing by Indian aviation authorities, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the flight’s pilot, sent a “Mayday, mayday” distress call less than a minute after liftoff at 1:39 PM

Samir Kumar Sinha, a secretary for India’s aviation ministry disclosed this on Saturday and noted that seconds later, radio contact was lost

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

“Mayday, mayday,” was the final radio message sent by the pilot of the Air India 171 flight bound for London, moments before it crashed to the ground, killing more than 270 people.

Air India captain sent a ‘mayday’ message to air traffic control before the tragic crash that killed 241 passengers. Photo credit: @airindia, NDTV

Source: UGC

“Mayday, mayday,” was pilot’s last message to traffic control

The captain of the doomed Air India flight warned his engine was “losing power” just moments before crashing in a huge fireball.

Sumeet Sabharwal and his co-pilot Clive Kundar cried “mayday” as they lost altitude moments after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport on Thursday morning.

In a briefing by India’s aviation authorities on Saturday, June 14, authorities confirmed that Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who was piloting the flight, sent a distress call to air traffic control less than a minute after it took off from Ahmedabad airport at 1.39 pm on Thursday, June 12.

When air traffic control responded to the pilot’s emergency mayday call, “there was no response”, said Samir Kumar Sinha, a secretary for India’s aviation ministry.

As reported by The Guardian, he added that the plane went down seconds later.

Speaking further, Sinha explained that initial investigations showed the plane had reached a height of 650ft after takeoff, after which it began to descend rapidly and hit the ground in Meghani Nagar, 2km from Ahmedabad airport.

An investigation team inspects the wreckage of Air India flight 171 a day after it crashed in a residential area near the airport, in Ahmedabad. Photo credit: SAM PANTHAKY/AFP via Getty Images

Source: Getty Images

Air India crashed into hostel, black box found – Sinha

According to reports released on Saturday, the 227-tonne plane crashed into a hostel where medical students and their families were living. All but one of the 242 people on board were killed in one of India’s worst aviation disasters in decades.

The collision with the hostel also killed at least four student doctors and one doctor’s wife who was heavily pregnant, as well as several labourers and vendors working in the area.

Sinha said the flight data recorder, known as the black box, had been recovered and was being looked into by investigators. A complete assessment of the incident would be completed within three months.

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Air India: DNA samples to help identify victims

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that some families broke down in uncontrollable tears as they were asked to submit DNA samples to help identify their loved ones who died in the tragic Air India crash.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, India, on June 12, 2025.

One of the family members who dropped a DNA sample shared when the results would be ready for them to identify their brother.

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Source: Legit.ng

Source: Legit.ng | View original article

Ahmedabad Plane Crash Live: DNA Samples Of 19 Victims Matched, Toll Reaches 274

At least 274 people were killed in one of India’s deadliest plane crashes. The casualties include passengers and crew on board AI 171, and local residents on ground. DNA samples of 19 people who died in the crash have been matched, while one body has been handed over to the family of the victim. A high-level multi-disciplinary committee has been formed to examine the causes of the crash.

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Ahmedabad Plane Crash Live Updates: At least 274 people were killed in one of India’s deadliest plane crashes involving a London-bound Air India flight in Ahmedabad earlier this week, sources said on Saturday. The casualties, the sources added, include the passengers and crew on board AI 171, and local residents on ground.

At the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, the DNA samples of 19 people who died in the crash have been matched, while one body has been handed over to the family of the victim.

The developments came as a high-level multi-disciplinary committee, headed by the Union home secretary, has been formed to examine the causes that led to the crash on Thursday, and suggest comprehensive guidelines to prevent such incidents in the future.

On Thursday, AI 171 – belonging to Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 fleet – crashed seconds after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Officials said the aircraft lost altitude soon after taking off at around 1.30 pm. It crashed into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College before going up in flames, sending plumes of thick black smoke spiralling up in the air.

The pilot had issued a ‘Mayday’ distress call, denoting a full emergency, soon after takeoff, the Air Traffic Control at Ahmedabad said.

Helpline numbers: 011-24610843 | 9650391859 | 1800 5691 444 (Air India)

Here are the latest updates on Ahmedabad Air India Plane Crash:

Source: Ndtv.com | View original article

Ahmedabad Plane Crash, Flight Crash in Ahmedabad Live: Police recover black box from crash site

Plane was going from Ahmedabad to Gatwick London. Pilot told Ahmedabad ATC that it was a May Day, i.e., full emergency. According to ATC, when it tried to contact the plane, it did not receive any response. Before this accident, the plane had completed Paris-Delhi-Ahmedabad sector without any accident.

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14:18 (IST) Jun 14

Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, says, “On 12th June around 2PM, we received the information that the plane going from Ahmedabad to Gatwick London had crashed. We immediately got detailed information about this through ATC Ahmedabad. This was an AIC 171 and there were a total of 242 people on board, including 230 passengers, 2 pilots and 10 crew members. This plane took off at 1.39 pm and within a few seconds, after reaching a height of about 650 feet, it started sinking, i.e., it started losing height.”

“At 1.39 pm, the pilot informed Ahmedabad ATC that it was a May Day, i.e., full emergency. According to ATC, when it tried to contact the plane, it did not receive any response. Exactly after 1 minute, this plane crashed in Medhaninagar, which is located at a distance of about 2 km from the airport. The captain of the plane was Sumit Sabharwal and the first officer was Clive Sundar,” Samir Kumar Sinha said.

He further added: “As far as the entire history of the plane is concerned, before this accident, the plane had completed Paris-Delhi-Ahmedabad sector without any accident. Due to the accident, the runway was closed at 2:30 pm and after completing all the protocols, the runway of Ahmedabad was opened for limited flights from 5pm.”

Source: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com | View original article

Young sisters orphaned after dad dies in Air India crash flying home from spreading mom’s ashes

Arjun Patoliya, 37, was one of at least 270 killed in the horrific crash, one of India’s worst aviation disasters. He was flying back to the UK Thursday to reunite with his grieving daughters, ages 4 and 8, after fulfilling his late wife Bharatiben’s dying wish: to have her ashes scattered in a local river in their native Gujarat. But disaster struck when his India Air flight AI-171, bound for Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff. The crash killed 241 people on board and at least 29 on the ground, according to officials, who said recovery teams found at least 25 more bodies in the debris on Friday. Only one man, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, survived the horrifying ordeal, and he remains in hospital in Ahmedabad.

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Two young sisters in London have been tragically orphaned after their father was killed in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash — just days after he traveled to India to lay their cancer-stricken mother to rest.

Arjun Patoliya, 37, was one of at least 270 killed in the horrific crash, one of India’s worst aviation disasters.

Patoliya was flying back to the UK Thursday to reunite with his grieving daughters, ages 4 and 8, after fulfilling his late wife Bharatiben’s dying wish: to have her ashes scattered in a local river in their native Gujarat, the Daily Mail reported.

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6 The couple’s four- and eight-year-old daughters are now orphaned, and mourning the loss of both their parents within just a couple of weeks. GoFundMe

But disaster struck when his India Air flight AI-171, bound for Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff.

The girls are now mourning the loss of both their parents within just a couple of weeks.

Officials on Saturday revealed that the pilot had issued a chilling distress call seconds before the 12-year-old Boeing 787 Dreamliner began free-falling from 650 in the air.

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“Mayday, mayday,” Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal said in his final radio communications with air traffic control, less than a minute after the flight took off from Ahmedabad Airport at 1:39 p.m.

It hit the ground in Meghani Nagar — just over a mile from the airport — and struck a medical college hostel in Gujarat State.

The crash killed 241 people on board and at least 29 on the ground, according to officials, who said recovery teams found at least 25 more bodies in the debris on Friday.

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6 Relatives comfort parents of Arjun Patoliya, 37, who died when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India. REUTERS

6 The crash killed 241 people on board and at least 29 on the ground, according to investigators. RAJAT GUPTA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

6 A view shows the rear of an Air India plane following its crash, in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025. via REUTERS

Only one man, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, survived the horrifying ordeal.

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All of the bodies have been taken to the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad – where the survivor also remains in treatment for his injuries, Dr. Dhaval Gameti told the Associated Press.

“He is doing very well and will be ready to be discharged anytime soon,” Gameti told the outlet Saturday.

Read more on the Air India plane crash

Relatives of the crash victims have shown up in full force, donating hundreds of DNA samples for the hospital to use to help identify their loved ones.

Most bodies found so far were charred or mutilated, making them unrecognizable.

On Friday, investigators recovered the plane’s digital flight data recorder, or black box, from a rooftop near the crash site.

6 Caskets to carry the remains of some of the victims of Thursday’s Air India plane crash are brought in a vehicle to a hospital in Ahmedabad, India, Saturday, June 14. AP

6 Firefighters work to put out a fire at the site where an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India. REUTERS

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Paul Fromme, a member of the UK-based Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said the device is expected to reveal information about the plane’s engine and control settings.

Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti said investigators should be able to answer questions about what caused the crash as soon as next week, as long as the black box is intact.

Source: Nypost.com | View original article

Death toll in Air India plane crash climbs to 270 as search teams find more bodies on the ground

“Mayday, mayday,” Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal said in his final radio communications with air traffic control, less than a minute after the London-bound flight took off from Ahmedabad Airport. The crash killed 241 people on board and at least 29 on the ground, according to officials, who said recovery teams found at least 25 more bodies in the debris on Friday. Only one man, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, survived the horrifying ordeal — one of India’s worst aviation disasters in its history. All of the bodies have been taken to the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, where the survivor also remains in treatment for his injuries, Dr. Dhaval Gameti told the Associated Press. Most bodies found so far have been charred or mutilated, making them unrecognizable, making the identification process even more difficult and time-consuming. Authorities have already inspected eight of Air India’s entire fleet of 34 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in the wake of the crash.

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The death toll from Air India’s horrific plane crash rose to 270 Saturday, as officials revealed the pilot’s chilling distress call sent just before the aircraft plunged into the ground.

“Mayday, mayday,” Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal said in his final radio communications with air traffic control, less than a minute after the London-bound flight took off from Ahmedabad Airport at 1:39 p.m. Thursday.

When air traffic controllers tried to return communication, “there was no response,” Samir Kumar Sinha, a secretary for India’s aviation ministry, said during a press briefing Saturday.

8 Caskets carrying the remains of some of the victims of Thursday’s Air India plane crash are loaded onto a vehicle to be transported to their respective homes at a hospital in Ahmedabad, India, Saturday, June 14, 2025. AP

Sinha said the 12-year-old Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which had reached a height of 650 feet in the air, went down within just seconds of the mayday call, The Guardian reported.

It hit the ground in Meghani Nagar – located just over a mile away from the airport – and struck a medical college hostel in Gujarat State.

The crash killed 241 people on board and at least 29 on the ground, according to officials, who said recovery teams found at least 25 more bodies in the debris on Friday.

Only one man, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, survived the horrifying ordeal — one of India’s worst aviation disasters in its history.

8 The death toll from Air India’s horrific plane crash rose to 270 Saturday, as officials revealed the pilot’s chilling distress call sent just before the aircraft plunged into the ground. AFP via Getty Images

All of the bodies have been taken to the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, where the survivor also remains in treatment for his injuries, Dr. Dhaval Gameti told the Associated Press.

“He is doing very well and will be ready to be discharged anytime soon,” Gameti told the outlet Saturday.

Relatives of the crash victims have shown up in full force, donating hundreds of DNA samples for the hospital to use to help identify their loved ones. Most bodies found so far have been charred or mutilated, making them unrecognizable.

8 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) visiting Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the only survivor in an Air India plane crash, at a hospital in Ahmedabad, India’s western state of Gujarat, June 13, 2025. Xinhua/Shutterstock

Some family members expressed frustration Saturday that it was taking too long to ID their loved ones. Authorities tried to reassure them that, although it normally takes up to 72 hours to complete DNA matching, they planned to expedite the process.

“Where are my children? Did you recover them?” asked Rafiq Abdullah, whose nephew, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren were on board the tragic flight.

Read more on the Air India plane crash

“Government is not answering these questions,” Abdullah fumed.

Another man repeatedly asked hospital personnel when his relative’s body would be given over to the family for the last rites.

8 Officials inspect the site of Thursday’s Air India plane crash on the roof of a building in Ahmedabad, India, Friday, June 13, 2025. AP

8 The London-bound Boeing 787 struck a medical college hostel in a residential area of the northwestern city of Ahmedabad minutes after takeoff. Press Information Bureau HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

“Give us the body,” he insisted.

Authorities have already inspected eight of Air India’s entire fleet of 34 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in the wake of the crash, Indian Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu told reporters Saturday, adding that the remaining aircraft will be examined with “immediate urgency.”

On Friday, investigators recovered the plane’s digital flight data recorder, or black box, from a rooftop near the crash site. The device is expected to reveal information about the plane’s engine and control settings, said Paul Fromme, a member of the U.K.-based Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

8 A man gestures angrily as he waits for the bodies of four relatives who died in the Air India plane crash, at a hospital in Ahmedabad, India, Saturday, June 14, 2025. AP

8 Some relatives expressed frustration Saturday that the process of identifying the victims was taking too long. AP

8 A relative of a victim of Thursday’s Air India plane crash is comforted as he breaks down at a hospital in Ahmedabad, India. AP

Investigators should be able to answer questions about what caused the crash as soon as next week, as long as the black box is in good shape, said aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau said it had begun working “full force” to extract the data, while the country’s government said it had formed a multi-disciplinary committee to examine the causes of the crash, on top of a formal investigation.

Boeing planes have been plagued by safety issues on other types of aircraft, but Thursday’s Air India crash marked the first deadly crash among 787 Dreamliner planes in 16 years of operation, according to experts. There are currently 1,200 of them worldwide.

With Wires.

Source: Nypost.com | View original article

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