Explained: The Mayday Call Before Air India Flight AI171 Crash

12th June 2025, A tragic Air India AI171 crash near Ahmedabad brought a chilling phrase to the world’s attention: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.” But what does “Mayday” really mean, and why do pilots use it? In aviation, “Mayday” is the most urgent international distress signal, reserved for life-threatening emergencies—like catastrophic failures or sudden loss of control—when immediate help is needed. The word comes from the French ‘m’aider’ (“help me”) and is recognized worldwide. When a pilot says “Mayday” three times, all air traffic control resources instantly focus on the distressed flight, launching rescue and emergency response. This video explains the critical importance of the Mayday call, and why it was the last signal from AI171’s cockpit before tragedy struck.