The tragedy of the Air India crash continues to raise unanswered questions, but new details have emerged about the pilot’s final words before the disaster.
Air India flight AI171 crashed just minutes after departing from Ahmedabad Airport on Thursday, June 12. The aircraft was en route to London Gatwick and was scheduled to land in the UK at 6:25 p.m. local time.
Tragically, the flight reached an altitude of only 625 feet before it plummeted to the ground approximately four miles from the runway.
According to the airline, there were 242 passengers and crew members on board. Air India added: “Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.”
Emergency services rushed to the scene after the crash (Photo by SAM PANTHAKY/AFP via Getty Images)
There was reportedly only one survivor from the plane crash, 40-year-old British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai, 265 bodies have so far been recovered – including people who died on the ground – but this number may increase as rescue efforts continue.
The exact cause of the crash is currently being investigated, and more details are expected to come out over the coming days.
The two pilots flying the plane have been identified as Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder.
India’s aviation regulator said the aircraft gave a mayday call to air traffic control. However, there was no response from the plane after that.
The captain reportedly called out on his radio: “Mayday […] no thrust, losing power, unable to lift.”
It’s believed that the pair of pilots then attempted to get control of the plane as it sank through the air before crashing into a medical college hostel.
The Chairman of Air India, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, has also released a lengthy statement and offered his condolences, while saying the incident was a ‘tragic accident’.
The cause of the crash is currently being investigated (Siddharaj Solanki/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
He said: “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.
“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.
“Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families.”
