Key Point Summary – Air India Crash
- British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh is the sole survivor
- 241 passengers and crew died on Air India Flight AI171
- Plane crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad
- Massive fire engulfed nearby buildings, killing 29 more
- Ramesh escaped from seat 11A with minor injuries
- Pilot community suspects dual engine failure
- Investigators recover black boxes to reconstruct crash
A Calm Walk Through Hell
It was a sight no one could believe. Flames exploded behind him. Metal crumpled. Screams pierced the air. Yet one man calmly walked away.
British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, was the lone survivor of the catastrophic Air India crash. He stepped away from a burning Boeing 787, phone in hand, as thick black smoke consumed the sky. His brother Ajay was not as lucky.
One Man Walks, Hundreds Perish
The Gatwick-bound flight, AI171, took off from Ahmedabad on June 12, carrying 242 souls. Seconds later, it lost power and plunged into the Meghani Nagar neighborhood. The jet exploded into the BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital.
Rescuers pulled 270 bodies from the wreckage. Ramesh was found dazed and bloodied, wandering nearby streets. A local man in a turquoise turban rushed to him, shouting in Gujarati, “The plane exploded!”
Seat 11A: The Miracle Exit
Ramesh later recounted his escape. He sat in seat 11A. When the plane hit a building, that section of the aircraft landed on solid ground. He forced his way out of a shattered emergency door. “I didn’t jump,” he said from his hospital bed. “I just walked out.”
Despite minor injuries, he lost his brother forever. Now, as he recovers at Civil Hospital, his father Ramesh remains silent by his side, too devastated to speak.
Pilot Points to Rat Clue
Veteran pilot Steve Schreiber analyzed new footage. He believes he found a smoking gun.
A blurry frame showed a small gray protrusion—the Ram Air Turbine (RAT). This emergency device deploys when both engines fail or major systems go offline. Schreiber says the RAT whirring on video matches reports from the crash site.
Was It a Dual Engine Failure?
In his expert view, three possible causes could release the RAT: total electrical failure, hydraulic collapse, or dual engine loss. Given the stall-like glide, flickering lights, and survivor testimony, Schreiber says all signs point to engine failure.
Ramesh’s account backs this theory. He said the plane struggled to gain altitude. Then a bang. Then a fall.
Black Boxes, Big Questions
Investigators recovered both black boxes. They will now reconstruct every second inside the cockpit. The final recordings could confirm what really happened.
Meanwhile, Air India and Boeing remain silent. The pilot had radioed a mayday, claiming they were “losing thrust.”
Grim Scene at Crash Site
The crash reduced buildings to skeletons. Mangled fuselage pierced canteen walls. Charred trays of food lay untouched beneath debris. Residents said the fire roared for hours. Bodies were burned beyond recognition.
More than 50 British nationals were aboard. Many were visiting family. Their trip home ended in horror.
Families Torn Apart
Ramesh’s survival is nothing short of a miracle. But for his family, joy is mixed with unbearable grief. His brother, Ajaykumar, sat across from him in seat 11J.
Friends say the survivor is “grappling with tragedy” and suffering survivor’s guilt. His story has gripped India and the UK alike.
World Watches the Aftermath
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ramesh in hospital. Images of their meeting spread across global media. Modi promised full transparency in the investigation.
Online, the story went viral. Hashtags like #AirIndiaCrash and #Seat11A trended on Twitter. Some called Ramesh “the luckiest man alive.”
Public Demands Accountability
Aviation watchdogs, pilots, and citizens demand answers. How could both engines fail? Why was the plane cleared for takeoff? Was maintenance up to date?
As videos continue to surface, pressure mounts. The public isn’t just grieving. They’re furious.
Expert Weighs the Evidence
Schreiber, the YouTube pilot known as “Captain Steeeve,” broke down the crash second by second. He insists the RAT’s appearance and the plane’s behavior are linked.
“It spun like a propeller. That noise you hear? It’s the RAT, not an engine. That’s the final clue,” he said.
Yet some experts remain cautious. The Aviation Herald ruled out engine failure. Schreiber disagrees. “They got that wrong,” he snapped. “I’m leaving the door wide open.”
Outlook: Grief, Then Justice?
With the black boxes now under analysis, the truth will soon emerge. For now, one man lives with the weight of survival. Hundreds of families live with loss.
The Air India crash exposed vulnerabilities in even the most advanced aircraft. It also revealed one extraordinary act of fate: a man who walked away while the world burned behind him.
Until investigators confirm the cause, the world will keep asking: How did only one man escape?
Developing. More updates to follow.
