EERIE TIMESTAMP: Air India Flight 171’s Black Box Logs Hijacking Drill Code at Second 26 — But No Hijack Occurred
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport en route to London Gatwick. Just 36 seconds later, the aircraft crashed into a hostel block at B.J. Medical College in the Meghani Nagar neighborhood, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and 34 on the ground. The tragedy, one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters, has left investigators grappling with a perplexing mystery uncovered in the flight’s black box data: at the 26-second mark, the flight data recorder (FDR) logged a code typically used in hijacking drills, despite no evidence of a hijacking. This article explores the chilling discovery, its implications, and the ongoing investigation into the crash, drawing on available information and critical analysis of the circumstances.
The Crash of Air India Flight 171
Flight 171 departed runway 23 at 13:38 IST (08:08 UTC) under clear weather conditions, with light winds of 3–6 knots and visibility of 6 kilometers, according to METAR reports. The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, reached a maximum altitude of approximately 625 feet before losing power and thrust, as reported by the flight crew in a distress call. A CCTV recording captured the plane struggling to gain altitude, pitching up, and then descending rapidly before crashing into the densely populated area, triggering multiple explosions. Only one passenger, 40-year-old British citizen Vishwaskumar Ramesh, survived, escaping through an emergency exit with non-life-threatening injuries.
The recovery of the black boxes—comprising the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and the Flight Data Recorder (FDR)—marked a critical step in the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch, Boeing, and engine manufacturer GE. Both devices were recovered by June 16, though one was visibly damaged, raising concerns about data integrity. By June 26, the Indian government confirmed that data from both black boxes had been successfully downloaded and was under analysis in Delhi, adhering to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) protocols.
The Eerie Timestamp at Second 26
The most baffling revelation came from the FDR, which recorded a code at the 26-second mark post-takeoff—a code exclusively associated with hijacking drills. In aviation, such codes are entered into the aircraft’s transponder to signal a hijacking to air traffic control (ATC). Typically, this is the squawk code 7500, used internationally to indicate an unlawful interference event. However, no hijacking occurred on Flight 171, and the pilots’ distress call, issued seconds later, reported only a loss of power and thrust, with no mention of a security threat.
This anomaly has sparked intense speculation. The CVR, which captures cockpit conversations and ambient sounds, reportedly contains the pilots’ mayday call, with Captain Sumeet Sabharwal stating, “Mayday, mayday… no power…” before communication was lost. Preliminary analysis of the CVR, limited to two hours of recording due to the 2014-model Boeing 787’s specifications, shows no indication of a hijacking attempt or crew discussion of such an event. The FDR, which logs thousands of parameters like altitude, airspeed, and control surface movements, confirms the rapid loss of altitude and power, consistent with the crash timeline. Yet, the presence of the hijacking drill code at second 26 remains unexplained.
Possible Explanations for the Code
Investigators are exploring several theories to account for this eerie timestamp. One possibility is human error. The code could have been inadvertently entered by the flight crew during pre-flight checks or in the chaotic moments after takeoff. However, this seems unlikely, as entering a hijacking code requires deliberate action, and the pilots were experienced professionals—Captain Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kundar had clean records. Moreover, the CVR shows no discussion of a hijacking drill or erroneous input.
A second theory involves a technical glitch in the aircraft’s systems. The Boeing 787-8 is equipped with sophisticated avionics, and a malfunction in the transponder or flight management system could have triggered the code. The FDR logs thousands of parameters, and a software error might have falsely recorded the hijacking signal. However, Boeing’s 787 has a robust safety record, with Flight 171 marking its first fatal crash since entering service in 2011. Air India chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran noted that one of the aircraft’s engines was new and had a “clean” history, reducing the likelihood of a mechanical issue directly tied to the code.
A more speculative hypothesis is external interference, such as a cyberattack or electromagnetic disruption, though no evidence supports this. The AAIB has not ruled out any possibilities but is cautious about fueling conspiracy theories, urging stakeholders to avoid speculation. The damaged state of one black box complicates matters, as investigators fear that opening it could compromise data integrity, potentially delaying answers.
Contextual Factors and Investigative Challenges
The crash’s context offers additional clues. Ahmedabad’s airport is notorious for bird strikes, with 38 incidents reported in 2022–23, a 35% increase from the previous year. A bird strike could explain the reported loss of power, as ingestion into the engines can cause catastrophic failure, as seen in South Korea’s Jeju Air crash in 2024. However, bird strikes would not account for the hijacking code.
Another theory involves flap configuration errors. Experts suggest that the aircraft’s flaps may not have been properly extended, reducing lift in the high-temperature conditions (40°C) in Ahmedabad, where thinner air demands greater thrust. The FDR data is expected to clarify flap settings, but this still does not explain the hijacking code.
The investigation also draws parallels to a 2020 incident at London Gatwick, where an Airbus A321 experienced dual engine failure due to fuel system contamination, prompting a mayday call and safe return. The AAIB is examining Flight 171’s technical logs for similar issues, but the presence of the hijacking code adds a layer of complexity absent in the Gatwick case.
Implications and Broader Questions
The mysterious code raises unsettling questions about aviation safety and security protocols. If it was a glitch, it highlights potential vulnerabilities in modern avionics systems. If intentional, it suggests a procedural lapse or an undetected issue in crew training. The AAIB’s preliminary report, due within 30 days of the crash, may shed light, but a final report could take up to a year, per ICAO guidelines.
The tragedy has also intensified scrutiny on Air India, recently acquired by the Tata Group in 2022. The airline faced criticism for operational issues, including a bomb threat on another flight and an emergency landing in Thailand. The crash has prompted India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to mandate extra safety checks on Boeing 787s and increase surveillance of flights.
Moving Forward
As families await answers, the recovery of Flight 171’s black boxes offers hope for clarity, but the hijacking drill code at second 26 remains a haunting enigma. The AAIB, supported by international experts, is meticulously analyzing every wire, bolt, and data point from the wreckage. The process is slow, with DNA identification of victims ongoing and the damaged black box posing technical challenges. Air India has pledged over $100,000 to victims’ families and is cooperating fully with the investigation.
The eerie timestamp may ultimately prove to be a red herring—a glitch or error unrelated to the crash’s cause. Yet, its presence underscores the complexity of modern aviation disasters, where even the smallest anomaly can fuel uncertainty. As the investigation unfolds, the world watches, hoping for answers that honor the memory of the 275 lives lost and prevent future tragedies.
