Ahmedabad Plane Crash: On 12 June, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, departed Ahmedabad, bound for London Gatwick. Just 30 seconds after take‑off, the aircraft encountered trouble and issued a Mayday distress call. The plane climbed only about 600 - 800 ft before plunging into a dense residential zone near a medical college hostel. The ensuing impact triggered a massive fire, killing 241 people out of 242 aboard (230 passengers and 11 crew), with one lone survivor.

Air India Plane Crash: Who is Ramesh Vishwaskumar Bucharvada?

He is the only known survivor of this tragedy.

• Born in India, now a British national, aged approximately 40.

• He was seated in seat 11A, a window seat directly behind an emergency exit, which is probably why he was able to survive.

• Ramesh was visiting family in Gujarat alongside his elder brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh (45), who is now presumed dead.

• Within seconds of take‑off, he heard a loud bang, then the aircraft shattered in mid-air. He awoke amid flaming debris and bodies, then, terrified, “stood up and ran.”

• He suffered chest, eye and foot injuries, but they are non‑life‑threatening.

• A shocking video shows him, bloodied and clothes torn, walking towards rescuers and an ambulance.

• From his hospital bed at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital, he recounted, “There were bodies all around me. I got scared. I got up and ran”

The investigation and aftermath

Indian authorities, including the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), now lead the probe, aided by experts from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the US NTSB. Key focuses include:

• Black box and cockpit voice recorder recovery

• Unusual technical indicators, such as landing gear extended at take‑off and flap misconfiguration noted on radar.

• Witness accounts of potential engine failure or loss of thrust.

Air India and the Tata Group have pledged financial support to the victims’ families. Compensation of about Rs 1 Crore has been announced per family.
(with inputs from news agencies)