Air India pilot’s final transmission captured in emergency call before fatal crash of 265 passengers

Executive Summary

On Thursday, June 12, 2025, the aviation industry witnessed one of its most devastating tragedies when Air India Flight AI 171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, claiming the lives of 265 individuals. The aircraft, bound for London Gatwick, experienced catastrophic engine failure at a critical phase of flight, resulting in the loss of nearly all passengers and crew aboard. This comprehensive report examines the incident details, survivor accounts, official responses, and ongoing investigation efforts surrounding this unprecedented aviation disaster.

Incident Overview

Air India Flight AI 171, operating on the Ahmedabad-London Gatwick route, departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday evening with an expected arrival time of 6:25 PM local time at its destination. The aircraft carried 242 passengers and crew members, representing multiple nationalities including Indian, British, Canadian, and Portuguese citizens.

The flight’s trajectory was tragically cut short when the aircraft encountered severe technical difficulties during its initial climb phase. Aviation tracking data indicates the plane reached a maximum altitude of approximately 625 feet before experiencing complete power loss, ultimately crashing into a medical college hostel facility located four miles from the airport runway.

Passenger Manifest and Casualties

According to official Air India statements, the passenger manifest included a diverse international demographic reflecting the route’s significance as a major corridor between India and the United Kingdom. The breakdown of passengers by nationality was as follows:

• Indian nationals: 169 individuals
• British nationals: 53 individuals
• Canadian nationals: 1 individual
• Portuguese nationals: 7 individuals
• Crew members: 12 individuals

The crash resulted in an unprecedented loss of life, with Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai confirming the recovery of 265 bodies from the crash site. This figure includes both aircraft occupants and ground casualties who were present at the medical college hostel at the time of impact. Rescue operations continue as authorities work to ensure all victims are accounted for, with the possibility that the final casualty count may increase as recovery efforts progress.

Sole Survivor Account

In what can only be described as miraculous circumstances, 40-year-old British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh emerged as the sole survivor of this catastrophic event. Emergency responders located Ramesh among the wreckage and immediately transported him to a nearby medical facility for treatment. His survival provides investigators with a crucial firsthand account of the aircraft’s final moments, though medical professionals are carefully managing his recovery process before conducting detailed interviews.

The survivor’s condition and eventual testimony will likely prove instrumental in understanding the sequence of events that led to the aircraft’s catastrophic failure. Aviation safety experts emphasize that survivor accounts, while invaluable, must be carefully corroborated with technical evidence and flight data analysis to construct an accurate picture of the incident.

Flight Crew and Final Communications

The aircraft was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an experienced pilot with extensive experience on international routes, accompanied by First Officer Clive Kunder. Both pilots were certified for the aircraft type and had completed all required training and certification protocols according to Air India’s operational standards.

Critical communications between the flight crew and air traffic control have been preserved and are currently under intensive analysis by aviation authorities. India’s aviation regulator confirmed that the aircraft transmitted a mayday distress call to air traffic control, indicating the severity of the emergency situation developing aboard the flight.

The most significant piece of evidence regarding the incident comes from Captain Sabharwal’s final radio transmission to air traffic control. Aviation experts have analyzed the captain’s reported words: “Mayday […] no thrust, losing power, unable to lift.” This communication provides crucial insight into the nature of the emergency, specifically indicating a complete loss of engine power during the critical takeoff phase.

Following this transmission, air traffic control reported no further communication from the aircraft, suggesting that the crew’s attention was entirely focused on attempting emergency procedures to regain control of the aircraft. Aviation safety protocols indicate that pilots are trained to prioritize aircraft control over communications during critical emergencies, which explains the communication silence that followed.

Technical Analysis and Emergency Response

The technical circumstances surrounding the crash point to a catastrophic engine failure during the most critical phase of flight operations. Aviation experts note that engine failure during takeoff presents pilots with extremely limited options, particularly when occurring at low altitude with insufficient airspeed to maintain controlled flight.

The aircraft’s rapid descent from 625 feet to ground level occurred over a distance of approximately four miles from the airport runway, indicating that the pilots made attempts to control the aircraft’s trajectory. This suggests that Captain Sabharwal and First Officer Kunder were actively working to minimize the impact of the inevitable crash landing, potentially saving additional lives on the ground through their professional response to the emergency.

Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the crash site following the loss of radar contact with Flight AI 171. The coordinated response involved multiple agencies, including airport fire and rescue services, local emergency medical services, police departments, and specialized aviation incident response teams. The complex nature of the crash site, involving both the aircraft wreckage and damage to the medical college hostel, required extensive coordination between various emergency services.

Official Statements and Corporate Response

Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran issued a comprehensive statement addressing the tragedy, emphasizing the company’s commitment to supporting affected families and cooperating fully with investigation efforts. His statement read:

“With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India flight, AI171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.”

The chairman further elaborated on the company’s immediate response measures: “At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.”

Air India has established emergency support centers to provide assistance to affected families, including counseling services, logistical support for travel arrangements, and coordination with international consular services for foreign nationals involved in the incident. The airline has also committed to providing regular updates as verified information becomes available through official investigation channels.

Investigation Framework and Regulatory Response

The investigation into Flight AI 171’s crash is being conducted under the oversight of India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). International aviation safety protocols require comprehensive investigation of all major aviation incidents, with particular attention to technical failures, crew performance, weather conditions, and operational procedures.

Key areas of investigation focus include:

• Engine performance and maintenance records
• Pre-flight inspection procedures and documentation
• Weather conditions at the time of departure
• Air traffic control communications and procedures
• Aircraft maintenance history and compliance records
• Flight crew training and certification status
• Airport emergency response procedures and effectiveness

The investigation team has secured the aircraft’s flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, commonly known as “black boxes,” which will provide crucial technical data about the aircraft’s performance and crew communications during the final minutes of flight. This data will be analyzed in specialized facilities to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the crash.

Industry Impact and Safety Implications

The Air India Flight AI 171 incident represents a significant event in aviation safety, particularly regarding engine failure scenarios during critical flight phases. The aviation industry maintains extensive databases of incident information to identify patterns and develop improved safety protocols, and this incident will contribute to ongoing efforts to enhance aviation safety standards.

Aviation safety experts anticipate that the investigation findings will result in potential updates to emergency procedures, training protocols, and possibly technical modifications to prevent similar incidents in the future. The industry’s commitment to continuous safety improvement means that lessons learned from this tragedy will be incorporated into global aviation safety practices.

International Cooperation and Support

Given the international nature of the passenger manifest, multiple countries have offered assistance and support to the investigation efforts. Consular services from the United Kingdom, Canada, and Portugal are working closely with Indian authorities to support their citizens’ families and ensure proper repatriation procedures.

The international aviation community has also expressed solidarity with the investigation efforts, with several countries offering technical expertise and resources to support the comprehensive analysis of the incident. This collaborative approach reflects the global nature of aviation safety and the industry’s commitment to preventing similar tragedies.

Conclusion

The Air India Flight AI 171 tragedy represents a devastating loss of life that has deeply impacted families, communities, and the aviation industry worldwide. As investigation efforts continue, the focus remains on understanding the technical and operational factors that contributed to this incident while providing support to those affected by this unprecedented tragedy.

The professionalism demonstrated by Captain Sabharwal and First Officer Kunder in their final moments, as evidenced by their clear communication of the emergency situation and apparent attempts to control the aircraft, exemplifies the dedication of aviation professionals even in the face of catastrophic circumstances.

As the investigation progresses, the aviation industry will carefully analyze all findings to enhance safety protocols and prevent similar incidents in the future. The memory of those lost in this tragedy will serve as a reminder of the ongoing commitment required to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety worldwide.

This report will be updated as additional verified information becomes available through official investigation channels.