Final mayday call from Air India pilot reveals terrifying seconds before deadly crash
Pilot’s last words—“No thrust, losing power”—shed light on what may have caused the tragedy that claimed 241 lives
The pilot of Air India Flight AI171 sent out a chilling mayday just seconds before crashing near Ahmedabad Airport: “No thrust, losing power, unable to lift.” Moments later, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner plummeted, killing 241 people on board and several on the ground.
Air India Flight AI171, which departed for London from Ahmedabad, lost contact with air traffic control just 30 seconds after takeoff. The plane crashed into a hostel for medical students near the airport, sparking a massive emergency response and leaving devastation both in the air and on the ground.
The airline confirmed there were 242 people aboard. Only one person survived. Reports indicate that multiple students and residents in the hostel were also killed in the crash, although an official ground fatality count is still being finalized.
One man survives—barely
The sole survivor identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British citizen. He was reportedly seated near an emergency exit and was quickly rescued by local responders. He remains in the hospital and is expected to recover physically. The emotional toll, however, may last a lifetime.
Victims on board included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British passengers, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. The loss has affected families around the globe, sparking mourning and solidarity from world leaders.
“Mayday… no thrust, losing power”: the captain’s last message
According to flight data and audio recordings released to investigators, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal—who had more than 8,200 flight hours—radioed in a desperate mayday before the crash. Alongside him was First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours of flying experience.
The transmission offered a grave clue: the engines may not have been generating enough thrust during takeoff. Investigators are looking into what prevented the aircraft from gaining altitude—a critical failure during one of the most dangerous parts of flight.
What could have gone wrong?
Early theories include a dual engine thrust failure, a malfunction with the flaps or landing gear, or possibly a bird strike. Some experts reviewing video footage believe the landing gear may have remained extended, which would have added dangerous drag and reduced lift.
The black boxes have been recovered and are being analyzed by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of India, with support from international teams including the U.S. NTSB, UK AAIB, FAA, and Boeing.
Global leaders respond
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the scene and met with the survivor and grieving families. In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III issued public condolences. Air India, which is owned by Tata Group, has promised compensation, counseling, and legal support to those affected. Boeing, meanwhile, has pledged its full cooperation as scrutiny around the Dreamliner program intensifies.
This marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its debut in 2011, a point that has shocked many in the aviation community. A preliminary crash report is expected in the coming months, though a full analysis could take a year.
As the world mourns, aviation experts and the public alike hope this tragedy leads to greater safety and accountability. For now, the captain’s final words—“no thrust, losing power”—serve as a somber reminder of how quickly a routine flight can become a catastrophe.
