“There’s Someone Else Here”: The Haunting Whisper of Air India Flight 171

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad, India, plummeted into a densely populated neighborhood just 32 seconds after takeoff, claiming the lives of 241 of the 242 passengers and crew on board, along with 19 people on the ground. The tragedy, India’s deadliest aviation disaster in decades, has left investigators, aviation experts, and the public grappling with a chilling mystery. Among the wreckage and sorrow, a haunting whisper captured on the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) has emerged as a focal point of intrigue: “There’s someone else here.” This eerie phrase, reportedly uttered in the final moments before the crash, has sparked intense speculation. Was it a misheard echo, a ghost transmission, or a clue to something far more sinister? As the investigation unfolds, the whisper continues to send shivers down the spines of those seeking answers.

The Crash: A Catastrophe in Seconds

Air India Flight 171 took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:38 IST (08:08 UTC) under clear weather conditions. The aircraft, piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, reached a maximum altitude of 625 feet before disaster struck. According to the preliminary report released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on July 8, 2025, both fuel-control switches abruptly transitioned from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” just three seconds after liftoff, starving the engines of fuel and causing a catastrophic loss of thrust. The plane crashed into the hostel complex of B.J. Medical College, 1.5 kilometers from the runway, destroying the aircraft and damaging five buildings in a fiery inferno. Only one passenger, Vishwaskumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, survived.

The CVR, recovered from the wreckage on June 16, captured a brief but perplexing exchange between the pilots. One pilot asked, “Why did you cut off?” to which the other responded, “I did not do so.” This dialogue, combined with the mysterious whisper, has deepened the enigma surrounding the crash. The AAIB’s report, supported by experts from Boeing, General Electric, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch, has yet to identify who said what or why the fuel switches were moved.

The Haunting Whisper: Theories and Speculation

The phrase “There’s someone else here” has become a lightning rod for speculation. Unlike the documented pilot exchange, this whisper has not been officially confirmed by the AAIB, but its reported presence in media outlets, particularly Western sources like The Wall Street Journal, has fueled debate. The lack of a full CVR transcript and clear speaker identification has only intensified the mystery. Several theories have emerged to explain the whisper, each more unsettling than the last.

1. A Misheard Echo or Audio Artifact

One possibility is that the whisper is an audio artifact—perhaps an echo of cockpit noise, an overlapping transmission, or a misinterpretation of the pilots’ words. Cockpit voice recorders capture a wide range of sounds, including engine hums, alarms, and radio communications, which can sometimes distort or mimic human speech. Aviation expert Shawn Pruchnicki, a former airline accident investigator, cautioned against jumping to conclusions, noting that CVR audio requires careful analysis to avoid misleading interpretations. “The voices, words, and sounds on CVRs must be carefully analyzed,” he told the BBC.

However, the clarity of the phrase, as reported, suggests it was distinct enough to be noted. If it was an echo, why was it not attributed to the pilots’ known conversation? The absence of a full transcript leaves this theory plausible but unconfirmed.

2. A Ghost Transmission

The idea of a “ghost transmission”—an unintended radio signal from another aircraft or ground station—has been raised as a potential explanation. Such transmissions can occur when radio frequencies overlap, especially in busy airspaces like Ahmedabad’s. However, the AAIB’s preliminary report found no evidence of external communications interfering with the cockpit during those critical seconds. Moreover, a ghost transmission would likely contain aviation jargon or procedural language, not a cryptic phrase like “There’s someone else here.” This theory, while technically feasible, seems ulikely given the context.

3. A Third Presence in the Cockpit

The most disturbing theory posits that the whisper indicates an unauthorized person in the cockpit. While security protocols make this scenario improbable, it cannot be entirely dismissed. The Boeing 787’s cockpit is secured by a reinforced door, and both pilots passed pre-flight breathalyzer tests and were deemed fit to fly. Yet, the whisper’s implication of a “someone else” has led some to speculate about a stowaway, a crew member, or even a supernatural presence—a notion quickly dismissed by investigators but amplified by sensationalist media.

A Canada-based investigator, speaking anonymously to the BBC, suggested that even if the whisper came from one of the pilots, it could reflect confusion or disorientation, possibly triggered by a sudden event like an electrical malfunction. “If pilot ‘B’ operated the switches unwittingly, they might deny it,” the investigator said. “But if pilot ‘A’ did it deliberately, the question could be a deflection.” Without cockpit video, which the NTSB has long advocated for, it’s impossible to confirm who was present or what actions were taken.

4. Technical Malfunction or Software Glitch

Another hypothesis points to a technical issue, such as a software glitch misinterpreting the plane’s status. A Wall Street Journal report noted a past incident where an aircraft’s software mistakenly registered it as on the ground, triggering an automatic fuel cutoff. While the AAIB found no evidence of a fuel system failure, a 2018 FAA advisory highlighted disengaged locking mechanisms on some Boeing 737 fuel-control switches, though Air India reported no such inspections on this 787. Could a similar glitch have caused the switches to move independently, prompting a pilot’s startled remark about “someone else”? This theory remains speculative but underscores the need for a thorough examination of the aircraft’s systems.

The Investigation: A Call for Clarity

The AAIB’s preliminary report, released on July 8, 2025, has been criticized for its lack of transparency, particularly for paraphrasing CVR excerpts without releasing a full transcript. India’s Federation of Indian Pilots and the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association have condemned media speculation, especially Western reports suggesting pilot error or intentional action. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu defended the AAIB’s impartiality, urging restraint until the final report, expected within a year.

The absence of cockpit video recorders, a long-debated safety measure, has been a focal point. Experts like Anthony Brickhouse argue that video could have clarified who moved the switches, potentially resolving the whisper’s origin. However, pilot unions, including the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations, oppose video recorders, citing privacy concerns and the risk of misuse.

The Human Toll and Public Reaction

Beyond the technical and speculative aspects, the crash has left a profound human impact. Families of the victims, like Ayushi Christian, whose husband died, are demanding justice and answers. The sole survivor, Vishwaskumar Ramesh, remains a symbol of hope amid the tragedy. Air India has pledged support for victims’ families, while Boeing and GE Aerospace are assisting the investigation.

Public reaction has been intense, with social media amplifying theories about the whisper, from paranormal claims to conspiracy theories about sabotage. The Indian press has accused Western media of bias, while the NTSB’s Jennifer Homendy called such reports “premature and speculative.”

Conclusion: A Mystery Unresolved

The haunting whisper of “There’s someone else here” encapsulates the enigma of Air India Flight 171. Was it a quirk of audio, a fleeting moment of confusion, or a clue to a deeper truth? As investigators sift through wreckage, data, and recordings, the world awaits answers. The tragedy underscores the fragility of flight and the weight of unanswered questions. Until the final report is released, the whisper remains a ghostly echo, urging us to keep an open mind in the face of the unknown.