Tragic Final Moments of Air India Flight 171: Captain’s Heartbreaking Last Transmission
Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, met a devastating fate just moments after taking off from Ahmedabad. Barely 11 seconds into the journey, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal’s urgent mayday call shattered the calm skies — reporting a sudden engine failure and loss of thrust.
The aircraft rapidly lost altitude and crashed into a residential neighborhood, leaving nearly all onboard dead and causing casualties among residents on the ground. Authorities have launched a thorough investigation, exploring potential causes including mechanical malfunction and bird strikes.
Captain Sabharwal, a seasoned pilot on the cusp of retirement, had recently made a touching promise to his elderly father — to take a break and spend more time together. That heartfelt reunion was tragically never to be. Alongside him, First Officer Clive Kunder and several crew members also perished, leaving behind grieving families who waited desperately for news that never came.
The crash site, located at a hostel within B.J. Medical College that housed dozens of students, sustained heavy damage. Rescue teams continue their tireless search through dangerous rubble, attending to many injured and missing individuals. Local hospitals have admitted scores of victims, as emergency responders work around the clock amid thick smoke rising over Ahmedabad.
The disaster has sent shockwaves through Mumbai, home to much of the crew, and beyond. Flight AI171 carried passengers from diverse nationalities — including Indians, British, Canadians, and Portuguese — all caught in this heartbreaking tragedy. Despite clear weather conditions at takeoff, contact with air traffic control was lost within minutes, leaving officials scrambling for answers.
As the community mourns, investigators emphasize that understanding the full scope of the tragedy and its causes will take time. Meanwhile, the legacy of Captain Sabharwal’s final moments — a courageous last call amidst catastrophe — will not be forgotten.