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Aircraft accidents

Miraculous Survival: Air India Plane Crash Survivor Recalls Horror Ordeal

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old Brit living in London, is the sole survivor of the Air India plane crash that killed 241 people, including his 45-year-old brother. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft crashed into a college building in Ahmedabad, northwest India, after a miracle escape. Vishwash, who was seated in seat 11D, credits his survival to a combination of factors, including a brave pilot's attempt to raise the plane and his own ability to exit through a broken emergency door.

Key Takeaways:

  • Vishwash, a 40-year-old Brit, is the sole survivor of the Air India plane crash that killed 241 people.
  • The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed into a college building in Ahmedabad, northwest India, after a miracle escape.
  • Vishwash credits his survival to a brave pilot's attempt to raise the plane and his own ability to exit through a broken emergency door.
  • The opposite side of the aircraft was blocked by the building wall, making it impossible for others to escape.
  • Vishwash witnessed two air hostesses die "in front of my eyes" during the crash.
  • The plane's seat maps show that Ramesh's seat, 11A, was positioned close to the front of the plane, making his survival statistically unlikely.
  • CNN safety analyst David Soucie described Vishwash's survival as "incredibly surprising" due to the seat's positioning.
  • Data from the National Transportation Safety Board in the US found that passengers sitting at the back of the plane have a 69% chance of survival, compared to 59% for those at the front.
  • Another study by Time found that passengers sitting in the middle seat tend to have a higher chance of survival.

Statistics:

  • 22 people survived the crash, with Vishwash being the only one to explain what happened on the flight.
  • 241 people lost their lives in the crash, including 1 child.
  • The plane was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.
  • The plane crashed into a college building in Ahmedabad, northwest India.
  • Vishwash was seated in seat 11D.
  • The opposite side of the aircraft was blocked by the building wall, making it impossible for others to escape.

Sources:

  • Narendran Modi YouTube channel
  • Time
  • Forbes
  • CNN
  • Doordarshan (Indian broadcaster)
  • Anadolu via Getty Images
  • The National Transportation Safety Board in the US
  • FAA Safety Inspector

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