New Delhi, June 15 -- "Thrust not achieved... falling... Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!" were the last words from the Air India Flight 171 cockpit, shortly before the plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, 2025, according to a report by the Times of India, citing Ahmedabad police recalling the pilot's call.

The call was received at air traffic control (ATC) mere seconds before all communications stopped. High-ranking officials stated that the jet was close to finishing the 3.5km runway of the airport, which typically requires 2.5km to 3km for a wide-bodied jet.

"The longer runway roll hints at a possibility of the aircraft not having adequate thrust for take-off," the report quoted a ...