Miracle at Number 11A: A Survivor After Plane Disaster

Miracle at Number 11A: A Survivor After Plane Disaster

On June 16, 2025, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. Tragically, 241 people died in this accident, including 232 passengers and 10 crew members. Only one survivor was saved: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British citizen who was sitting in seat 11A, right by the emergency exit. The crash happened just 30 seconds after takeoff and was accompanied by a loud noise. Ramesh reported that he quickly escaped from the wreckage surrounded by corpses.

The causes of the crash are still unclear. Around 60 tons of kerosene ignited in the incident, classifying the situation as “unsurvivable.” Ramesh managed to save himself with injuries to his chest, eyes and feet. He is currently in a hospital in Ahmedabad after someone put him in an ambulance. According to reports, his brother was in another row of the plane.

More details about the plane crash

Indian Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed the recovery of the flight data recorder, which was recovered from the rubble 28 hours after the crash. This information is crucial to the ongoing investigation into the technical cause of the crash. Shortly after the accident, the police initially did not expect any survivors before confirming Ramesh as the only one. Space 11A was particularly discussed on social media because it also played a role in another plane crash in the past.

In 1998, Thai actor Ruangsak Loychusak, also in seat 11A, survived the crash of Thai Airways Flight TG261. In this accident, 101 of the 146 people on board died. Loychusak spoke out on social media about the parallels between the two incidents and the psychological impact he suffered years after his experience. Ramesh reported that he thought he would die before he could free himself.

Security considerations and future prospects

The Indian authorities are now examining the possibility of temporarily shutting down all Boeing 787-8 aircraft. However, experts warn against guaranteeing safety because every accident has unique circumstances. Information about the frequency of aircraft crashes worldwide shows that the civil aviation industry has had to overcome many challenges since 1945. Statista reports on various countries and regions with the most aircraft accidents in the history of civil aviation.

The Ahmedabad tragedy has attracted strong media coverage and many people are showing keen interest in booking the 11A slot, a decision inspired by Ramesh's survival. However, aviation experts emphasize that flying always involves risks and that no specific choice of seat can guarantee safety.