Yesterday afternoon, a tragic incident was reported from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, when Air India flight number AI-171 crashed shortly after take-off. The flight was on its way to London but met with an unfortunate accident. There were 242 people on board, including crew members. Shockingly, the aircraft crashed just one minute after take-off.
Right after the flight took off, the pilot was heard shouting “Mayday-Mayday”. But do you know why the pilot said that? If not, let’s understand what “Mayday” means and why it is used.
What Does “Mayday” Mean?
“Mayday” is a distress call used in emergencies. It signals that the aircraft and the lives of those onboard are in serious danger and immediate help is needed. This term is internationally recognised and is used by pilots during emergency situations to alert air traffic control (ATC) and nearby aircraft.
Also Read-: Ahmedabad Plane Crash: How Much Will Insurance Companies Have to Pay? What Are the Rules?
Why Is “Mayday” Repeated Three Times?
In case of an emergency, pilots are instructed to repeat the word “Mayday” three times. This is done to ensure the message is clearly heard over the radio, especially in situations where there may be background noise or radio interference.
Why Don’t Pilots Just Say There’s an Emergency?
The word “Mayday” is used to prevent panic among passengers and to quickly inform ATC that something is wrong. If a pilot were to explain the emergency in detail over the radio, it could take longer and may also lead to panic inside the aircraft. Saying “Mayday” is a clear, quick, and standard way to request urgent assistance.
Also Read-: How Did the Air India Plane Crash? Impact of Engine Failure or Landing Gear Malfunction Explained
When Did the Use of “Mayday” Begin?
The term “Mayday” was first introduced in the 1920s. It was coined by Frederick Stanley Mockford, a radio officer at Croydon Airport in London. He derived it from the French word “m’aider”, which means “help me.” Since then, “Mayday” has become the standard distress call in aviation and maritime emergencies.