YET, ANOTHER AIR TRAGEDY | FLIGHT A171 | WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE | SEEMINGLY UNENDING QUESTIONS

Vishwash Kumar Rameh, the only survivor

A Tragedy in the Skies: The Air India Flight A171 Disaster and Its Global Reverberations

In a harrowing moment that has shaken the aviation world, Air India Flight A171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, claiming the lives of 274 people, including 33 on the ground. It is now considered one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s history—and the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft’s debut in 2011.

Among the wreckage and heartbreak emerged a single beacon of survival: 40-year-old British citizen Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the only survivor of the doomed flight. Traveling with his brother, Ramesh recalled cabin lights flickering moments before the aircraft lost altitude. Sitting in seat 11A, near an emergency exit, he managed a miraculous escape as the plane plunged into a doctors’ hostel at B. J. Medical College.

A Catastrophic Descent

The aircraft went down less than a minute into flight, failing to gain altitude and crashing into a densely populated area where victims were gathered for lunch. The scene was one of collapsed structures, rising smoke, and devastation that extended beyond the aircraft itself.

A black box has been recovered and investigators are working to determine what caused the crash. Early speculation ranges from mechanical failure to pilot error, though no official cause has been confirmed. Alarmingly, the aircraft’s landing gear remained deployed and its flaps may have been retracted at the time of impact.

Reactions and Fallout

The crash has elicited global mourning and outrage. Political leaders offered their condolences, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the site and meeting with the lone survivor. Public anger is mounting as calls grow louder for transparency and accountability.

Air India grounded its entire 787 fleet pending investigation. Regulators—including India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)—have launched high-level probes that could reshape future aviation safety policies. The incident has also reignited scrutiny into Boeing’s safety practices, marking yet another chapter in the company’s embattled history.

A Mirror of Past Tragedies

This crash recalls other disasters in aviation history, including the 1976 crash of Indian Airlines IC 171, which also occurred shortly after takeoff. While the Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision in 1996 still stands as India’s deadliest air disaster (349 fatalities), Flight A171 is now tragically among the worst.

Globally, the incident has drawn comparisons to other high-profile crashes such as Malaysia Airlines MH370 and the Lion Air 737 MAX tragedy, both of which triggered sweeping safety reforms.

The Road Ahead

Aviation crash investigations typically unfold over months or even years. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, but the final report could take much longer. Accuracy, rather than speed, is the guiding principle. Meanwhile, reader sentiment across news platforms and social media continues to reflect grief, disbelief, and frustration.

Peculiar Circumstances of Some of the Passengers Before the Crash

Some of the passengers aboard Air India Flight A171 were traveling under circumstances that now feel chilling in hindsight:

·       Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the passengers. He had reportedly boarded the flight for a private visit to London. His presence added a political dimension to the tragedy, and his death has sparked tributes across India.

·       Medical Students and Staff: The plane crashed into a hostel at B. J. Medical College, where many students and staff were gathered for lunch. Several of the victims on the ground were young medical trainees—some of whom had just completed their final exams. The timing couldn’t have been more tragic.

·       International Travelers: The flight carried a diverse group—53 British nationals, 169 Indian nationals, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian. Many were reportedly returning to the UK after family visits or business trips. Some had changed their travel plans last-minute due to earlier delays or rescheduling.

·       The Sole Survivor’s Story: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the only person to survive, was traveling with his brother. They had been seated together, but only Vishwash—who was near an emergency exit—managed to escape. His brother remains unaccounted for.

·       The Pilots: Captain Sumit Sabharwal, with over 8,200 hours of flying experience, and co-pilot Clive Kundar, with 1,100 hours, were both highly trained. Just before the crash, Sabharwal issued a chilling Mayday call: “No power… no thrust… going down…”.

These details paint a haunting picture—not just of a technical failure, but of lives interrupted mid-journey, each with their own story.

Last Lines

The crash of Air India Flight A171 has become more than just another entry in the annals of aviation tragedies, it is a reminder of how fragile flight still is, even in an age of sophisticated engineering and automation. As investigators search for answers and reforms begin to take shape, the world watches with bated breath, hoping that hard lessons learned can protect future lives.