Viswash Kumar Ramesh: the Only Survivor from Air India Flight 171 Crash

Viswash Kumar Ramesh was the lone survivor of Air India Flight 171’s crash that took the lives of 241 passengers and crew members. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London Gatwick Airport, went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, striking buildings near the runway in what marks the first-ever crash of a Dreamliner aircraft.

The impact of the tragedy reverberated immediately to the Viswash Kumar Ramesh’s family home in Leicester, England, where shock and grief overwhelmed relatives. Viswash had been traveling with his brother, returning from a vacation in India to the United Kingdom when disaster struck. In the chaotic moments following the crash, Viswash Kumar Ramesh managed to place a brief video call to his father from beside the aircraft’s wreckage before emergency responders transported him to a local hospital via ambulance.

Medical reports indicate that Viswash sustained no major injuries from the ordeal and was seated in position 11A during the flight, according to The Guardian’s coverage of the incident. While speculation suggests additional survivors may be receiving treatment at area hospitals, no other passengers have been publicly identified at this time.

Viswash Kumar Ramesh Survival from the Wreckage

Nayan Ramesh, Viswash’s 27-year-old younger brother, shared the disturbing content of that crucial video call made moments after impact. In the brief communication, Viswash conveyed his confusion and desperation, stating:

“Our plane crashed. I have no idea how I got outside. I can’t see my brother. I can’t see any other passengers.”

The tragedy occurred on Thursday, June 12, at precisely 13:39 local time as Air India Flight 171 departed for London Gatwick Airport. FlightAware data confirms the aircraft’s intended destination before the fatal sequence of events unfolded. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner managed to reach only 625 feet in altitude before crashing into a medical college dining facility, according to Simple Flying’s reporting.

The ground impact proved equally devastating, claiming the lives of at least five medical students who were in the facility at the time of the crash. This incident represents a grim milestone as the first crash involving Boeing’s Dreamliner aircraft, adding another troubling chapter to the manufacturer’s recent safety record.

Preliminary Investigation Findings

Early reports from the BBC suggest preliminary analysis points to potential mechanical failures that may have contributed to the disaster. Investigators are examining whether the aircraft’s flaps, which are crucial for generating lift during takeoff procedures, failed to extend properly. Additional speculation centers around a possible twin-engine failure scenario, though definitive conclusions await comprehensive investigation results.

Aviation authorities from the United States, United Kingdom, and India have committed to conducting a thorough and detailed inquiry into the crash circumstances. The precise cause of the accident will remain undetermined until this extensive investigation process reaches completion in the coming days and weeks.

Boeing Faces Renewed Scrutiny

Viswash Kumar Ramesh — Photo By ***John Taggart***

This latest incident places Boeing once again under intense public and regulatory scrutiny, particularly given the company’s troubled history with manufacturing quality issues that have resulted in previous midair incidents. The aerospace giant has been dealing with a series of safety-related problems that have significantly damaged its reputation and raised serious questions about quality control standards throughout its manufacturing processes.

The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft experienced a global grounding period from March 2019 through December 2020 following two devastating crashes that collectively claimed 346 lives. Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed on March 10, 2019, while Lion Air Flight 610 went down on October 29, 2018, both involving the same aircraft model and related safety systems.

Boeing’s Legal and Financial Ramifications Continue

According to Simple Flying, the aftermath of the 737 MAX cases continues to evolve as victims’ families maintain their demands for accountability while Boeing struggles to restore profitability under heightened regulatory oversight. The company narrowly avoided becoming the first corporation in United States history to receive a felony conviction before the Department of Justice dismissed the case following a renewed settlement agreement.

Crash Site Details and Investigation

The accident occurred in Ahmedabad, located in Gujarat state in western India, with the crash site positioned approximately 1.5 kilometers southwest of the airport, directly in line with the runway’s end. Online video footage captured by witnesses shows the widebody aircraft airborne for roughly 30 seconds before beginning its fatal descent, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Company.

At the time of impact, the aircraft was traveling at speeds slightly exceeding 200 miles per hour. The crash scattered debris across several hundred meters surrounding the impact zone, with footage showing smoke rising from the structure that housed medical professionals from nearby hospitals.

Details surrounding the crash remain limited as investigators continue examining the crash site and clearing debris from the aircraft’s wreckage. Information continues emerging hourly as recovery teams work systematically through the scattered remains of Flight 171, seeking answers to explain how this unprecedented Dreamliner disaster unfolded and claimed so many lives while somehow sparing one passenger from the devastating outcome.

Youssef Yahya

Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’