In the world of aviation, one small device called an ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter) can make all the difference in a crisis. After the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad, this term is all over the internet. So, let’s break down how an ELT works and how it helps during such situations.

What Exactly Is an ELT?

An Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) is a compact, battery-powered device installed in most aircraft. Its primary job is to send out distress signals in the event of a crash or sudden impact. This helps rescue teams locate the aircraft and assist the passengers. An ELT can activate automatically when it experiences a strong impact or it can be manually triggered by the pilot through a switch in the cockpit.

Once activated, the ELT starts transmitting signals on international emergency frequencies. These signals are picked up by satellites and relayed to ground stations, helping search and rescue teams zero in on the aircraft’s last known location.

Why Are ELTs So Important?

An ELT is important because it doesn’t just send out signals, it also guides rescue teams by providing precise coordinates. This can save precious time during rescue missions. It also plays a key role in post-crash investigations by helping locate the wreckage and retrieve the flight data recorders.

Even false alarms are taken seriously. In December 2024, an unexpected ELT signal near Nagpur triggered a three-hour panic before reports of an actual crash were dismissed. That one incident clearly shows how crucial these devices are and how helpful they can be in emergencies.

The Ahmedabad Tragedy: Did the ELT Come Into Play?

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171 crashed five minutes after take-off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft was headed to London and was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.

The jet, operated by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar, took off at 1:38 PM. A mayday call to air traffic control was issued shortly after. According to the DGCA, there was no further response from the aircraft following that distress call. Within minutes, the plane went down in the Meghani Nagar area and crashed into a residential hostel, erupting into a massive fire.

While the DGCA hasn’t officially confirmed whether the ELT signal was received, the magnitude of the crash and the rapid emergency response suggest that it may have been activated. This could have happened either automatically upon impact or during the crew’s final attempts to regain control.

Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off.

The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are…

— Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025

Air India has confirmed the mishap on X and is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating the crash. More updates are expected to follow soon via Air India’s official X handle and on airindia.com.

As of now, multiple NDRF teams have rushed to the site and have started the rescue cooperation. Hopefully, after the investigation unfolds, data from systems like the ELT will be critical in understanding what went wrong in those final moments.