- Air India flight AI 171 issued a Mayday call before crashing shortly after takeoff.
- The aircraft, a Boeing 787, was bound for London with 242 individuals on board.
- The plane crashed at a low altitude of 825 feet, experts said.
A "Mayday" distress call was issued by Air India's AI 171 flight, minutes before it crashed after taking off from Gujarat's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday.
The London-bound aircraft, however, did not respond to calls from the Air Traffic Control (ATC) thereafter, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement.
A "Mayday" call is an emergency procedure used internationally as a distress signal through radio communications; it signals a life-threatening emergency.
There was no immediate information on the casualties caused by the crash.
According to DGCA, the flight, a Boeing 787, took off from the airport's runway 23 at 1.39pm for London Gatwick Airport. It had 242 people on board - two pilots, 10 cabin crew members and 230 passengers.
Aviation expert Sanjay Lazar told NDTV the aircraft reportedly lost altitude soon after takeoff. According to preliminary information, the plane had reached approximately 825 feet when it suddenly descended.
A 17-second video showed the aircraft crashing into a residential area. Visuals also showed thick black smoke rising up into the sky from the airport.
The aircraft was piloted by captain Sumeet Sabharwal with 8,200 hours of experience and first officer Clive Kundar with 1,100 hours of experience, the DGCA said.
At least two dozen ambulances rushed to the spot. The police have also diverted traffic from the area.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he is personally monitoring the situation and directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to initiate swift and coordinated action.
In a statement, Air India said of the total passengers, 169 are Indians, 53 are British nationals, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals.
"The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident," it said.
