The recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has raised concerns about aviation safety and emergency response protocols. The pilot issued a 'Mayday' call to Air Traffic Control (ATC) shortly before the aircraft lost contact. In the event of an in-flight emergency, pilots rely on a universally recognised distress signal to alert air traffic control and nearby aircraft. The Mayday Call is a critical tool that triggers a swift response to life-threatening situations. Let’s understand what a Mayday Call means and how it works in this article.
A Mayday call is an urgent message sent by pilots or ship captains to alert authorities about a severe emergency.
The term reportedly originates from the French phrase “m’aider”, meaning “help me”. Introduced in the 1920s, this system has since become a standard protocol globally. When a pilot declares “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”, it signals a critical emergency that demands immediate assistance.
When a Mayday call is made, all non-urgent radio communication ceases, and ATC is supposed to give top priority to the distress call. The pilot then shares vital information, including the aircraft's call sign, location, type of emergency, number of people on board, and specific needs. This enables a swift and effective rescue response.
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We are deeply anguished by the tragic event involving Air India Flight 171.
— Tata Group (@TataCompanies) June 12, 2025
No words can adequately express the grief we feel at this moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and with those who have been injured.
Tata Group will…
On June 12, 2025, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, bound for London's Gatwick Airport. The aircraft, carrying 242 people, including 232 passengers and 12 crew members, struggled to gain altitude and descended around 1:38 pm, erupting into a massive fireball moments later.
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