Final 32 seconds: New footage captures harrowing last moments of Air India crash in Ahmedabad

Dubai: Shocking new CCTV footage has surfaced showing the last 32 seconds of Air India Flight AI171 before it crashed into a building just after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday.

The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was carrying 242 passengers, including 53 British nationals, when it erupted into flames after striking a medical students’ hostel near the airport.

The footage shows the aircraft taking off smoothly from Runway 23 at 1:39 pm (local time). However, it soon became clear that something was wrong—the plane failed to gain altitude, flew unusually low with its landing gear still extended, and its nose raised.

Just 32 seconds after liftoff, the aircraft slammed into the B.J. Medical College hostel in Meghaninagar, triggering a massive explosion and fire, with thick black smoke filling the sky.

Aviation experts suspect the aircraft may have experienced problems with thrust or lift. A Mayday call was sent shortly after takeoff, but all communication was lost moments later. The exact cause of the crash will be determined through a full investigation over the coming months.

Miraculously, one passenger—seated in 11A—was rescued from the wreckage and rushed to the hospital. Five people inside the hostel also lost their lives in the crash.

The flight was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned pilot with over 8,200 flight hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours.

Air India issued a statement expressing deep regret and has set up a helpline (1800 5691 444) for the families of those on board. The Gujarat government deployed three NDRF teams from Gandhinagar, while Ahmedabad police have activated an emergency number (079-25620359) for assistance and information.

Air India has arranged two special relief flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Ahmedabad to assist families of victims of Flight AI171. These flights will transport next of kin and staff to the crash site and hospitals.

From Delhi, flight IX1555 departs at 11pm on Thursday, with the return flight IX1556 at 1:10am on June 13. From Mumbai, AI1402 departs at 11pm, returning as AI1409 at 1:15am.

Families can contact the hotline at 1800 5691 444. For international inquiries, a separate helpline is available at +91 8062779200.