India Air Crash: Pilot’s last words, sole survivor, other heartbreaking tales
Rescue operations at the India air crash. Photo Credit- WSJ
A devastating India air crash near Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has left the nation in shock, with new details emerging about the pilot’s last words, the lone survivor, and the tragic deaths of a family of five. The incident, which occurred on June 12, claimed 241 lives out of 242 onboard, marking one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s recent history. As rescue operations continue and investigations begin, touching stories of loss and resilience are coming to light, shedding a human face on this catastrophe.
The doomed Air India flight AI171, en route to London, crashed less than a minute after takeoff at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT), striking a doctors’ hostel in the Meghani Nagar area, according to the BBC. The pilot’s final communication, a mayday call to air traffic control, was intercepted by India’s aviation regulator, revealing a desperate plea: “Engine failure, losing altitude; mayday, mayday!” These haunting last words shows the suddenness of the tragedy, with experts like Marco Chan, a former pilot from Buckinghamshire New University, suggesting potential human error or mechanical failure as factors according to BBC.
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Amid the wreckage, a miraculous tale of survival has emerged. Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British-Indian businessman seated in 11A, is the sole survivor, walking away with minor injuries after the Boeing 787 slammed into the residential area. His brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, told the BBC that Vishwashkumar “has no idea how he survived,” escaping as flames engulfed the plane. The UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has mobilized crisis teams, while a reception center at London Gatwick Airport supports affected families.
The crash claimed heartbreaking stories, including the death of a family of five from Gloucester. The BBC reported that the Patel family: parents Anil and Priya, and their children aged 8, 12, and 15 were traveling to visit relatives when the plane went down. Friends described them as “the heart of our community,” with tributes pouring in online. Another poignant loss involves the Singh family from Northamptonshire, also among the 53 British nationals killed, leaving behind a legacy of community service. At least eight ground victims, including trainee doctors, perished when the plane hit the hostel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site on June 13, expressing heartbreak and promising a thorough investigation. Recovery efforts continue, with 81 bodies retrieved so far and families provide DNA samples amid the wait for identification. As the black box search intensifies, the aviation world mourns, with these human stories amplifying the urgency for answers and safety reforms.