Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Only Survivor Reveals What Happened Inside the Air India Flight AI171

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: “I Didn’t Jump” — The Sole Survivor Reveals What Happened Inside Air India Flight AI171

In a devastating tragedy that claimed the lives of 265 people, a British national named Vishwas Kumar Ramesh emerged as the lone survivor of the Air India flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Ramesh, seated in 11A next to the emergency exit, has given the first eyewitness account of the horrifying moments before the plane broke apart mid-air.

"I Didn’t Jump — I Was Thrown Out"

Speaking from the trauma ward where he is being treated, Ramesh told doctors that he did not jump from the aircraft. “The plane broke into two. I was still wearing my seatbelt when I was flung out,” he recounted. Miraculously, this ejection saved his life, as the aircraft quickly became engulfed in flames. A viral video shows him walking to the hospital, bleeding but conscious. Doctors say his condition is stable, with no life-threatening injuries.

The Flight That Never Made It

The ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was en route from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport. Just five minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, it lost control and crashed into a nearby residential zone — striking the BJ Medical College hostel building.

There were 230 passengers and 12 crew members onboard, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Officials confirmed that all perished in the crash — except Ramesh.

11-Year-Old Aircraft, 800 Feet in the Air

The aircraft had been in service for 11 years. Shortly after takeoff, it reportedly reached an altitude of just 600 to 800 feet before plummeting. Witnesses described a terrifying vertical descent, followed by a loud explosion and thick black smoke. Parts of the plane — including the landing gear, fuselage, and tail — were found embedded in the hostel’s concrete walls.

Emergency Signal Sent

At 1:39 PM, the pilot sent out a 'Mayday' distress signal. An official investigation is now underway. Authorities are working to retrieve the aircraft’s black box — which includes the flight data and cockpit voice recorders — to understand what went wrong in the final moments.

Passenger Details and Aftermath

Air India confirmed that the passenger list included 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. The remaining 12 were Air India crew members. The government and aviation authorities have launched a full-scale inquiry into the crash.

Meanwhile, the story of Ramesh’s survival has captured national attention. Many are calling it a miracle — a singular escape in what is now one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters.