Meet the Air India Crash’s Sole Survivor: The Man in Seat 11A

The sole survivor of the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash is Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was en route to London from Ahmedabad when it crashed into a medical college shortly after takeoff, killing 241 passengers and crew members, along with five medical students on the ground.

Ramesh was seated in seat 11A, near an emergency exit, which may have contributed to his survival. He described the terrifying moments before the crash, saying the plane felt like it was “stuck in the air” before suddenly slamming into a building and exploding. He managed to unbuckle himself, push through an opening in the fuselage, and crawl out of the wreckage.

After escaping, Ramesh was taken to a hospital, where he is being treated for impact injuries to his chest, eyes, and feet. His survival has been described as “nothing short of a miracle”, given the severity of the crash.

What are the latest updates on the investigation?

Investigators are focusing on three key pieces of equipment, the engine, flaps, and landing gear, as they try to determine what caused Air India Flight 171 to crash. The black box has been recovered, and authorities are analysing its data to understand the final moments before impact.

The Indian government is considering grounding Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered enhanced safety inspections on all Air India Boeing 787 aircraft, focusing on fuel systems, cabin air compressors, engine controls, and hydraulic systems.

Experts suspect that incorrect wing flap settings or a hydraulic failure may have contributed to the crash. Footage of the aircraft before impact suggests that the landing gear remained down longer than usual, which could indicate a mechanical issue.

The Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has recovered the Flight Data Recorder within 28 hours of the crash, marking a significant step forward in the investigation.