India, July 12 -- The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has revealed that one of the pilots of Air India flight AI171 issued a distress call, "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday", moments before the aircraft crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 260 people.

The Air Traffic Controller (ATCO) responded but received no reply before witnessing the plane go down.

According to the AAIB's 15-page preliminary report, the Boeing 787-8 aircraft experienced critical engine failure shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

The flight, bound for London Gatwick, was carrying 241 passengers and crew. Only one person survived. Nineteen people on the ground were also killed when the aircraft crashed into a medical h...