On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport bound for London Gatwick. Just 32 seconds after takeoff, the aircraft crashed into the B.J. Medical College campus, killing 241 of the 242 passengers and crew on board and 19 people on the ground. A recently surfaced 29-second video, purportedly recorded inside the passenger cabin, has provided a haunting glimpse into the final moments before the catastrophic crash. While the authenticity of the video remains under scrutiny, its contents have sent shockwaves through the aviation community and the public, offering a chilling perspective on one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters.

The Video: A Glimpse into Chaos

The 29-second footage, reportedly captured by a passenger’s smartphone, begins with a seemingly routine scene inside the economy class cabin of Flight 171. Passengers are seated, some adjusting their belongings, while the aircraft’s engines hum in the background, signaling the start of the takeoff roll at 13:37 IST. The video shows a mix of passengers, including families, professionals, and students, unaware of the tragedy about to unfold. The cabin appears calm, with overhead bins closed and seatbelt signs illuminated.

Approximately 10 seconds into the video, the atmosphere shifts. The camera, held by an unidentified passenger, shakes slightly as the plane lifts off at 13:38:39 IST. Moments later, at around the 15-second mark, a noticeable jolt is felt, and the cabin lights flicker green and white, as later described by the sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. Passengers’ faces show confusion, and muffled gasps are audible. The video captures a flight attendant in the aisle, visibly startled, gripping a seat for balance.

By the 20-second mark, the aircraft’s rapid descent becomes evident. The camera tilts sharply, showing tray tables rattling and loose items sliding. A low hum, likely the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) for emergency power, is faintly audible. At 24 seconds, a passenger’s voice can be heard shouting, “What’s happening?” as the cabin tilts further. The final five seconds are chaotic: screams intensify, the camera tumbles, and a bright flash—possibly the impact or ensuing fire—ends the footage abruptly at 13:39:05 IST, coinciding with the crash.

Context of the Crash

According to the preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), released on July 8, 2025, both engines of the Boeing 787 lost power when their fuel control switches moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” just three seconds after liftoff, at 13:38:42 IST. This action, which typically occurs only after landing, starved the engines of fuel, causing a total loss of thrust. The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking, “Why did you cut off?” with the other responding, “I didn’t.” The switches were returned to “RUN” within 10 seconds, but the engines could not regain sufficient power in time to prevent the crash. The aircraft reached a maximum altitude of 625 feet before plummeting into the medical college hostel, 1.5 kilometers from the runway.

The video does not clarify the cause of the fuel cutoff but vividly illustrates the rapid escalation of events. The deployment of the RAT, visible in airport CCTV footage and faintly audible in the cabin video, indicates the crew’s attempt to restore power. A “Mayday” call was issued at 13:39:05 IST, seconds before impact, but air traffic control received no further response.

Survivor’s Account and Public Reaction

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national seated in 11A next to an emergency exit, was the sole survivor. He described the lights flickering and the plane feeling “stuck in the air” before it “slammed into a building and exploded.” Ramesh’s escape was miraculous; he unfastened his seatbelt and exited through a broken door near the ground, avoiding the fire that consumed much of the wreckage. His account aligns with the video’s depiction of flickering lights and sudden descent.

The release of the video has sparked widespread grief and speculation. Social media platforms, including X, have seen an outpouring of reactions, with users expressing horror at the passengers’ final moments. However, experts urge caution, noting that a similar video circulating after the crash was debunked as footage from a 2023 Nepal crash. The AAIB has yet to confirm the authenticity of this new video, but its alignment with survivor testimony and flight data lends it credibility.

Investigation and Implications

The AAIB, with support from Boeing, General Electric, and investigators from the US and UK, continues to probe the crash. The preliminary report rules out mechanical failure or design flaws, focusing instead on the fuel control switches’ movement. Theories range from human error—possibly muscle memory from post-landing procedures—to a potential malfunction in the switch-locking mechanism, as noted in a 2018 FAA bulletin for Boeing aircraft. The absence of a full cockpit voice recorder transcript has fueled debate, with experts like Bjorn Fehrm calling for greater transparency.

The video has intensified calls for cockpit video recorders, as recommended by the US National Transportation Safety Board, to clarify actions in the cockpit. It also underscores the human toll of the tragedy, which claimed 169 Indian, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian life, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

Conclusion

The 29-second video, if verified, is a heart-wrenching record of Air India Flight 171’s final moments. It captures the sudden transition from routine to catastrophe, offering a rare glimpse into the passenger experience during an aviation disaster. While it does not resolve the mystery of why the fuel switches were cut off, it humanizes the tragedy, reminding us of the 260 lives lost and the sole survivor’s improbable escape. As the investigation continues, the video serves as a somber call for answers and enhanced safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.