In the final, terrifying moments before Air India Flight 171 plummeted from the sky, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal’s desperate radio transmissions to air traffic control have revealed the catastrophic mechanical failure that claimed 241 lives and shocked the aviation world. The discovery of one of the aircraft’s black boxes has provided investigators with crucial evidence that, combined with the pilot’s final words, is beginning to paint a picture of what went tragically wrong on that fateful June 12 morning.
The Final Communications: A Pilot’s Desperate Battle
According to reports from the London Evening Standard, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal’s final radio communications paint a harrowing picture of a crew fighting desperately to save their aircraft and the 242 souls aboard. The experienced pilot, flying alongside co-pilot Clive Kundar, issued a series of increasingly urgent warnings that suggest a catastrophic power failure struck the Boeing 787 Dreamliner just moments after takeoff.
“Mayday, mayday,” Sabharwal reportedly transmitted as the aircraft began losing altitude shortly after departure from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The pilot’s subsequent warnings were even more chilling: “We are losing power… no thrust… unable to lift.” These few words, transmitted from less than 650 feet in the air, represent the final communications from a crew that found themselves in an impossible situation with virtually no time to respond.
The terminology used by Captain Sabharwal – specifically “no thrust” and “unable to lift” – suggests a complete or near-complete failure of the aircraft’s propulsion system. In aviation terms, “thrust” refers to the forward force produced by the aircraft’s engines, while “unable to lift” indicates that the plane lacked sufficient power to maintain or gain altitude. For a fully loaded aircraft departing on a long-haul flight to London, such a power loss would be catastrophic.
Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 corroborates the pilot’s desperate transmissions. The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control just seconds into what should have been a 10-hour journey to London Gatwick Airport. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which had reached a maximum altitude of approximately 625 feet, began its fatal descent almost immediately after the crew’s mayday call.
241 out of the 242 passengers and crew were killed when the plane crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel in Ahmedabad (Siddharaj Solanki/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The Crew: Experienced Professionals Facing the Unthinkable
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, whose final words have now become part of aviation history, was an experienced pilot entrusted with one of Air India’s most modern aircraft. The 787 Dreamliner, known for its advanced technology and safety systems, should have provided the crew with multiple backup systems and emergency procedures. However, the rapidity of the crisis – occurring within seconds of takeoff – left little time for standard emergency protocols.
Co-pilot Clive Kundar, working alongside Sabharwal in those final moments, would have been following emergency checklists and attempting to restart engines or find alternative solutions. The aviation industry’s emphasis on crew resource management means that both pilots would have been trained extensively for engine failure scenarios, but the apparent complete loss of thrust so close to the ground presents one of the most challenging emergency situations in aviation.
The fact that the crew managed to transmit their mayday call and provide specific information about their emergency demonstrates their professionalism even in the face of certain death. Aviation experts note that maintaining communication during such a crisis requires extraordinary composure and training, as the natural human response would be to focus entirely on aircraft control.
Air India said the ‘survivor is a British national of Indian origin’ (Siddharaj Solanki/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Black Box Discovery: The Key to Understanding
The recovery of one of the aircraft’s two black boxes marks a crucial breakthrough in the investigation into this disaster. According to the Hindustan Times, investigators have located one of these vital recording devices, which could provide definitive answers about what caused the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to lose power so catastrophically.
Black boxes, more formally known as flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders, are engineered to survive the most extreme conditions. Painted bright orange for visibility and constructed with titanium shells, these devices can withstand impacts of up to 3,400 Gs, temperatures of 1,100°C, and submersion in water for extended periods. The information they contain represents the last, most reliable witness to the events that unfolded in the aircraft’s final moments.
The cockpit voice recorder will have captured the crew’s conversations, including their assessment of the emergency, their attempts to follow emergency procedures, and their communications with air traffic control. This audio evidence will be crucial in understanding not just what happened, but how the experienced crew responded to the crisis and whether additional factors contributed to the tragedy.
The flight data recorder, meanwhile, will have captured hundreds of parameters including engine performance, altitude, airspeed, control surface positions, and system status indicators. This technical data will allow investigators to create a precise timeline of the aircraft’s final moments and determine whether the crew’s assessment of “no thrust” was accurate and complete.
Technical Analysis: What “No Thrust” Means
The pilot’s report of “no thrust” suggests a catastrophic failure of both engines on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Modern commercial aircraft are designed to fly safely on a single engine, and pilots train extensively for single-engine failures. However, the simultaneous failure of both engines – particularly so soon after takeoff – represents one of the most challenging emergencies in aviation.
Several scenarios could explain a complete loss of thrust. Bird strikes affecting both engines simultaneously, though rare, have occurred in aviation history. Fuel system failures could starve both engines of fuel, while catastrophic mechanical failures in the aircraft’s engine control systems could shut down both powerplants. The 787’s advanced fly-by-wire technology includes multiple safeguards, but certain failure modes could theoretically affect both engines simultaneously.
The timing of the failure is particularly crucial. During takeoff, aircraft are at their heaviest weight, loaded with fuel for long-haul flights. They are also at low altitude with limited options for emergency landing sites. The physics of aviation dictate that without thrust, a heavy aircraft will lose altitude rapidly, and from just 650 feet, there is virtually no time to attempt a restart or find a suitable landing area.
The Miracle Survivor: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh’s Ordeal
Amidst this tragedy, the survival of 40-year-old British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh stands as an extraordinary testament to the unpredictable nature of disaster survival. Seated in 11A, next to one of the aircraft’s emergency exits, Ramesh’s survival has provided the only first-hand account of the crash’s immediate aftermath.
Speaking to his family after the crash, Ramesh described his confusion and disorientation: “I have no idea how I exited the plane,” he told his brother. The survivor’s account, relayed by his brother Nayan Kumar Ramesh, includes a disturbing detail – Ramesh video-called his father immediately after the crash, saying “Oh the plane’s crashed. I don’t know where my brother is. I don’t see any other passengers. I don’t know how I’m alive, how I exited the plane.”
This immediate communication with family provides a unique real-time account of the crash’s aftermath. The fact that Ramesh was able to make a video call suggests that his mobile phone survived the impact and that he retained sufficient presence of mind to contact his family despite the trauma he had experienced.
Dr. Dhaval Gameti, who treated Ramesh at the hospital, described the survivor’s condition: “He was disoriented, with multiple injuries all over his body. But he seems to be out of danger.” The medical assessment suggests that while Ramesh sustained significant injuries, his proximity to the emergency exit and perhaps the specific dynamics of the crash in his section of the aircraft allowed him to survive what proved fatal for 241 others.
The survivor’s brother revealed additional details about the family’s experience: “We were just shocked as soon as we heard it. I last spoke to him yesterday morning. We’re devastated, just devastated.” This statement underscores the random nature of disaster and how quickly lives can be changed by circumstances beyond anyone’s control.
The Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s Safety Record
The involvement of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in this disaster has sent shockwaves through the aviation industry. This crash represents the first fatal accident involving the 787 since its introduction in 2011, ending a remarkable safety record for Boeing’s most advanced commercial aircraft.
The specific aircraft involved was a 12-year-old Boeing 787-8, delivered to Air India in January 2014. According to Air India’s statement, the aircraft was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members when it departed Ahmedabad at 13:38 local time. The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national, highlighting the international scope of this tragedy.
The 787 Dreamliner was designed with numerous advanced safety features, including improved fire suppression systems, enhanced structural integrity, and sophisticated engine monitoring systems. The aircraft’s fly-by-wire technology includes multiple redundancies designed to prevent single points of failure from causing catastrophic accidents.
However, the apparent complete loss of thrust reported by Captain Sabharwal suggests a failure mode that may have overwhelmed these safety systems. The investigation will need to determine whether this was an unprecedented failure or whether existing safety protocols were inadequate for this specific scenario.
The Crash Site: Medical College Hostel Impact
The Boeing 787 crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel in Ahmedabad, significantly increasing the tragedy’s scope beyond the aircraft’s passengers and crew. The impact occurred during lunch hour, when many medical students were in the hostel’s dining facilities, contributing to the overall casualty count.
The choice of impact site was not deliberate – with no thrust, Captain Sabharwal would have had no control over the aircraft’s final trajectory. The crash into a densely populated area near the airport exemplifies one of aviation’s ongoing challenges: the proximity of airports to urban areas means that aircraft emergencies can have far-reaching consequences beyond those aboard the aircraft.
Emergency response teams faced the additional challenge of a crash site that combined aviation fuel fires with structural collapse. The fully fueled aircraft created an intense fire that complicated rescue efforts and likely contributed to the high fatality rate. The impact on the medical college hostel also meant that many trained medical personnel who might have assisted in rescue efforts were themselves victims of the tragedy.
Investigation Challenges and International Cooperation
The investigation into Flight AI171 faces several significant challenges. The complete destruction of the aircraft and the intense fire following impact have likely destroyed much physical evidence. However, the recovery of at least one black box provides hope that investigators can reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the crash.
The international nature of the passenger manifest has prompted cooperation from multiple aviation authorities. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has deployed a team to assist the investigation, while Boeing has committed to providing technical expertise and support. The involvement of British nationals has also drawn the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch into the investigation.
The investigation will likely focus on several key areas: the aircraft’s maintenance history, the crew’s training and experience, weather conditions at the time of takeoff, and any potential issues with the airport’s runway or departure procedures. The pilot’s specific report of “no thrust” will drive investigators to examine the aircraft’s engines and fuel systems in detail.
Broader Aviation Safety Implications
This tragedy raises important questions about aviation safety protocols, particularly regarding engine failure procedures and emergency response capabilities. While dual engine failure is extremely rare, this incident demonstrates that such scenarios can occur and can overwhelm existing safety systems.
The aviation industry will likely review several aspects of current safety protocols in light of this crash. These may include:
- Engine failure procedures during the critical takeoff phase
- Airport emergency response capabilities for aircraft crashes in residential areas
- Passenger safety briefings regarding emergency exit procedures
- Aircraft design standards for surviving catastrophic impact scenarios
The fact that only one passenger survived, despite the aircraft’s advanced safety systems, will prompt questions about whether current crashworthiness standards are adequate. The survivor’s proximity to an emergency exit may have been crucial to his survival, potentially leading to discussions about passenger seating arrangements and emergency exit access.
The Human Cost: Families and Communities Affected
Beyond the technical and investigative aspects of this tragedy lies its devastating human cost. The loss of 241 lives represents not just statistics, but individual stories of loss that will resonate through families and communities worldwide.
For the families of Captain Sabharwal and co-pilot Kundar, the revelation of their final words provides both closure and additional grief. These pilots died trying to save their aircraft and passengers, maintaining their professionalism and communication protocols even as they faced certain death.
The international passenger manifest means that grief is being felt across multiple countries. British families who lost loved ones are dealing with the additional complexity of repatriating remains and navigating international bureaucracy while processing their loss. Similar challenges face families in Portugal, Canada, and India.
Looking Forward: Lessons and Prevention
As the investigation continues, the aviation industry and regulatory authorities will be looking for lessons that can prevent similar tragedies in the future. The pilot’s final words, combined with the black box data, will provide crucial insights into how catastrophic engine failure can be better managed or prevented.
The survivor’s account, while traumatic for him to relive, will also provide valuable information about crash survivability and emergency evacuation procedures. His survival demonstrates that even in the most catastrophic circumstances, proper safety equipment and procedures can make the difference between life and death.
This tragedy serves as a stark reminder that despite aviation’s excellent overall safety record, the inherent risks of flight mean that disasters can still occur. The dedication of professionals like Captain Sabharwal and co-pilot Kundar, who maintained their duties until the very end, exemplifies the commitment to safety that characterizes the aviation industry.
Conclusion: Remembering the Victims, Learning from Tragedy
The tragic final words of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal – “We are losing power… no thrust… unable to lift” – will forever be remembered as a testament to a crew’s desperate fight against overwhelming odds. These words, captured in the aircraft’s black box and transmitted to air traffic control, provide crucial clues about what went wrong while simultaneously highlighting the professionalism of aviation professionals who face the ultimate test.
As investigators work to understand the technical factors that led to this disaster, the human stories of loss and survival continue to unfold. The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, carries with him not just the physical scars of his ordeal, but the psychological burden of being the only witness to a tragedy that claimed 241 lives.
The recovery of the black box offers hope that this tragedy will yield lessons that can prevent similar disasters in the future. Captain Sabharwal’s final words, preserved in these devices, will contribute to our understanding of aircraft safety and emergency procedures, ensuring that his final act of communication serves a purpose beyond documenting disaster.
In the end, this tragedy reminds us of both the fragility of life and the dedication of those who work to keep aviation safe. The pilot’s final words, spoken in the face of certain death, represent not just the end of 241 lives, but the beginning of efforts to ensure that such words are never spoken again in similar circumstances.
