30 Seconds In The Air: CCTV Footage Captures Air India Flight From Take-Off To Crash
Air India flight taking off on the runway. Image Courtesy: Screengrab of Video Footage
A London-bound Air India Dreamliner crashed just 30 seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon, in what is being described as one of the most serious aviation incidents in recent years.
The aircraft, operating as Flight AI171, was carrying 242 people—230 passengers and 12 crew members—when it went down near the densely populated Meghaninagar area.
As seen in the circulating video footage, at the 19-second mark, the aircraft lifts off from the runway. By the 29-second mark, it begins to lose altitude abruptly, and at the 49-second mark, the aircraft crashes, followed by a visible plume of smoke.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft issued a “MAYDAY” distress signal at 1:39 pm IST, shortly after takeoff from Runway 23, but no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC. On its departure, the aircraft immediately fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter, the DGCA stated.
The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar.
What does the video footage show?
Footage circulating on social media captures the aircraft banking sharply before rapidly losing altitude. Moments later, smoke billows into the sky, suggesting an explosion or fire post-impact.
Were there signs of mechanical failure?
While a definitive cause has not been established, early visual indicators point to a possible mechanical failure or flight control issue immediately after take-off. However, authorities stress that conclusions will follow only after analysis of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder.
On board the flight were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and a Canadian national. Of the 230 passengers, a British passenger in seat 11A, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived the plane crash.
What is the status of the investigation?
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are jointly leading the probe. A recovery team is working to secure the black boxes and preserve the crash site for forensic examination. Air India is cooperating with the investigation.
In his statement, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said that the investigation will take time.
