A video showing the lone survivor calmly emerging from the burning wreckage of Air India Flight AI 171 has shocked the world, highlighting a near-unthinkable escape amid one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters.
At a Glance
- Air India Flight AI 171 crashed near Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 241 onboard and 38 on the ground.
- The sole survivor is British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated next to an emergency exit.
- Video shows Ramesh walking calmly from the flames with a phone in hand.
- Investigators recovered both black boxes; experts suspect dual-engine failure.
- Emergency inspections of other Boeing 787s are now underway across India.
Calm Amid Catastrophe
New video footage shows Ramesh calmly exiting the flaming wreckage, phone to his ear, while responders rush to the scene. Witnesses captured the moment as the sole survivor emerged with minimal injuries.
From his hospital bed, Ramesh told the Hindustan Times he awoke moments after impact surrounded by bodies. “I stood up and ran,” he recalled. He suffered minor injuries and is reportedly in stable condition.
Watch a report: Miracle Survivor Walks from Flaming Wreckage.
Massive Loss and Shock
Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed into a residential area near BJ Medical College. According to News.com.au, 38 people on the ground also died when the fuselage struck a hostel.
The catastrophe—occurring just seconds after takeoff—has become one of the most fatal aviation events in Indian history.
Black Boxes and Early Theories
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has recovered both flight data and cockpit voice recorders. Aviation analyst Steve Schreiber cited signs of possible dual-engine failure, noting that video appears to show a Ram Air Turbine deployed—a signal of total power loss.
In response, emergency inspections of all Air India 787s have been ordered, focusing on fuel systems and engine control modules.
A Rare Miracle
Ramesh’s seat—11A, near the emergency exit—may have saved his life. His survival has drawn awe and reflection, with investigators calling it “nothing short of miraculous.” Amid the devastation, his story offers a powerful image of resilience and luck.
As authorities examine every detail of the crash, one man’s escape serves as a human counterpoint to a national tragedy.
