Video Shows Moment Air India Ahmedabad-London Plane Crashed After Takeoff

An Air India flight crashed minutes after taking off from Gujarat's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

A 17-second video shows the aircraft crashing into a residential area, shortly after it took off for London Gatwick at around 1.30pm. Visuals also showed thick black smoke rising up into the sky from the airport. 

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), a "Mayday" distress call was issued by AI 171 after takeoff but the flight did not receive any response from the Air Traffic Control (ATC).

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. 

At least two dozen ambulances rushed to the spot. The police have also diverted traffic from the area. 

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.

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. 

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.