On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, departed from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport bound for London Gatwick. Mere 36 seconds into the flight, the plane plunged into a hostel at B.J. Medical College in Meghani Nagar, resulting in the deaths of 241 out of 242 onboard and 34 ground victims. This devastating event, among India’s most severe aviation calamities, has perplexed probers with a bizarre black box finding: at the 26-second point, the flight data recorder (FDR) noted a code reserved for hijacking simulations, absent any actual hijack signs. This piece delves into this unsettling revelation, its potential consequences, and the active probe into the incident, utilizing current data and thorough examination of the situation.

The Demise of Air India Flight 171

Flight 171 left runway 23 at 13:38 IST (08:08 UTC) amid fair weather, with mild 3–6 knot winds and 6-kilometer visibility per METAR data. Laden with 230 passengers and 12 crew, it peaked at around 625 feet before thrust and power vanished, per crew distress signals. CCTV footage depicted the aircraft faltering in climb, nosing up, then dropping sharply into the crowded zone, sparking blasts. Sole survivor, 40-year-old UK national Vishwaskumar Ramesh, fled via an emergency door with minor wounds.

Salvaging the black boxes—Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR)—advanced the inquiry by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), aided by U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch, Boeing, and GE engines. Both units were found by June 16, one marred, sparking data worries. By June 26, Indian officials affirmed successful data extraction for Delhi analysis, following International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

The Unnerving 26-Second Notation

The most enigmatic disclosure arose from the FDR, capturing a hijacking drill-specific code 26 seconds post-liftoff. In air travel, these codes input to transponders alert ATC of hijacks, often squawk 7500 for unlawful meddling. However, Flight 171 saw no such intrusion, and pilots’ subsequent mayday cited only power/thrust loss, omitting security alerts.

This oddity ignites debate. The CVR, logging cockpit talk and sounds, includes Sabharwal’s “Mayday, mayday… no power…” before cutoff. Initial CVR review, capped at two hours for the 2014 787 model, reveals no hijack chat or crew mention. FDR, tracking myriad metrics like height, velocity, and controls, verifies swift altitude/power drop matching crash sequence. Still, the 26-second hijack code lingers unresolved.

Theories Behind the Code

Probers examine various ideas for this eerie mark. Human mistake is one: code might have been wrongly keyed pre-flight or in turmoil. Yet, improbable, as hijack codes demand intent, and pilots Sabharwal and Kundar boasted spotless histories. CVR lacks drill or error talk.

Tech fault is another: 787’s advanced avionics might glitch transponder or management system, falsely logging the code. FDR handles thousands of params; software bug could mimic. But 787’s safety legacy, with 171 as first fatal since 2011 debut, questions this. Air India chair Natarajan Chandrasekaran highlighted a fresh engine’s “impeccable” record, lessening direct mechanical tie.

Speculative: outside tampering like cyber or electromagnetic, sans proof. AAIB open but wary of conspiracies, advising caution. Damaged black box hinders, as accessing risks data loss, stalling insights.

Surrounding Elements and Probe Hurdles

Crash backdrop yields hints. Ahmedabad airport’s bird strike notoriety—38 in 2022–23, up 35%—might explain power loss, akin to 2024 Jeju Air engine ingestion. But birds don’t trigger hijack codes.

Flap setup error another: improper extension could cut lift in 40°C heat, thinning air for thrust needs. FDR should confirm flaps, yet code unexplained.

Parallels to 2020 Gatwick Airbus dual engine fail from fuel contam, with safe return. AAIB scans 171 logs for parallels, but code adds unique twist.

Ramifications and Larger Inquiries

The cryptic code poses disturbing queries on air safety/security. Glitch exposes avionics weak spots. Intentional hints training or process gaps. AAIB prelim, due crash+30 days, might illuminate; full report up to year per ICAO.

Event spotlights Air India, Tata-acquired 2022. Airline critiqued for bomb threats, Thailand emergency. Crash spurred DGCA’s extra 787 checks, heightened flight watch.

Progressing Ahead

As kin seek closure, black boxes promise resolution, but 26-second code haunts. AAIB, with global aid, scrutinizes every fragment and datum. Slow pace, with victim DNA ongoing and box damage, persists. Air India offers $100,000+ per family, fully aiding probe.

The marker might be diversion—irrelevant glitch. Yet, it highlights modern crash intricacies, where anomalies breed doubt. As probe advances, global eyes await truths honoring 275 lost, averting repeats.