Air India Pilot’s MAYDAY Call Seconds Before Ahmedabad Crash Tragedy

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Moments before the tragedy, the pilot, Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal, issued a chilling “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY” call to air traffic control (ATC), signaling a dire emergency. The distress call, reported by ATC sources, has deepened the mystery surrounding the crash, which devastated a residential area and sparked a massive rescue operation.

Pilot’s Final Warning Raises Questions

The urgent MAYDAY call, made seconds before the plane lost contact, suggests a sudden catastrophic failure onboard. Flight AI171, en route to London Gatwick, had just taken off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport when the pilot alerted ATC to an unspecified crisis. . Speculation on X points to potential engine failure or electrical issues, though the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has yet to confirm the cause. The black box, if recovered, will be critical to unraveling the sequence of events leading to the disaster.

Chaos and Rescue Efforts at Crash Site

The crash site in Meghani Nagar is a scene of devastation, with thick black smoke and flames visible in videos shared on X. The impact damaged homes and vehicles, with unconfirmed reports of at least 30 fatalities. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Border Security Force (BSF) teams, supported by seven fire brigades, are working tirelessly to extinguish fires and search for survivors. Ambulances have transported the injured to hospitals via a green corridor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is en route to Ahmedabad, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah coordinates with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel.

#WATCH | Multiple agencies involved in rescue and relief operations at the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad; Debris with smoke emanating lies spread across the site pic.twitter.com/JZIKERPqHa

— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2025

National Grief and Investigation Underway

The MAYDAY call has amplified public grief, with X users mourning the tragedy and demanding answers. Air India’s helpline (1800-258-7575) is assisting families. The DGCA’s probe, backed by international experts, will examine maintenance records and ATC communications. As rescue efforts continue, the nation prays for survivors and clarity in this heart-wrenching tragedy.