Miracle Survival: The Only Man Who Escaped The India Plane Crash

The Only Man Who Escaped The India Plane Crash – Full Story of Viswashkumar Ramesh

On June 12, 2025, the world was shaken by devastating news. An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, flight AI171, crashed just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India. In one of the most tragic air disasters of recent years, 279 people lost their lives — but astonishingly, one man survived: Viswashkumar Ramesh, 40 years old.

What makes this story even more heartbreaking is that Viswashkumar was not traveling alone. His brother was also on board. In a cruel twist of fate, while Viswashkumar escaped, his brother did not survive. And on Father’s Day, their grieving father arrived to both bury one son and embrace the other — alive by sheer miracle.

This is their story.

A Flight That Lasted Only 40 Seconds

Flight AI171 took off from Ahmedabad at 1:38 PM. The weather was unstable, strong crosswinds swept across the airport, and tragedy struck almost instantly. Within approximately 40 seconds of takeoff, the plane lost control and plummeted directly into the dormitory building of B.J. Medical College.

The collision was catastrophic. The aircraft broke apart instantly, flames engulfed the fuselage, and smoke billowed into the sky. The crash scene resembled a war zone, with twisted metal, broken concrete, and burning wreckage strewn across the site.

Out of 242 passengers and crew aboard, combined with 38 casualties on the ground, nearly 279 lives were lost.

And yet — somehow — one man emerged alive from the inferno.

One Brother Lost, One Brother Saved

Viswashkumar Ramesh had boarded the doomed flight with his brother. As the plane disintegrated upon impact, both brothers were thrown into the chaos of the wreckage.

But fate had different plans.

While his brother perished in the violent crash, Viswashkumar miraculously escaped death — aided by a combination of unique circumstances, fast reflexes, and, above all, divine luck.

When speaking to the media, Viswashkumar humbly admitted:

“The emergency door was broken. My seat was broken. I did not jump. I simply walked out. I cannot explain it. It’s a miracle. Everything.”

The Father’s Day That Turned Into Heartbreak

The day after the crash, Viswashkumar’s father arrived at the crash site. It was supposed to be Father’s Day — a celebration of family, love, and reunions.

Instead, it became the most painful day of his life. One son lay lifeless, while the other stood before him — scarred, but alive.

The emotional reunion of father and son in the hospital, while simultaneously preparing for the funeral of the lost brother, was described by Indian media as:

“The most heartbreaking Father’s Day the family would ever endure.”

Millions worldwide were moved to tears by this deeply human tragedy — where the thin line between life and death was measured in mere seconds and inches.

The Emergency Exit and Seat 11A: The Seat of Destiny

One of the key reasons for Viswashkumar’s survival was his seat location. He was assigned seat 11A, positioned directly next to one of the emergency exit doors.

During the crash, the section of the fuselage around his seat ruptured but was not completely crushed. The emergency exit door was ripped open by the impact, leaving a gap through which Viswashkumar could crawl out.

Despite the smoke, debris, and collapsing structure, he quickly unbuckled his seatbelt and crawled through the opening.
Just a few seconds slower, and he would not have survived.

Investigators later confirmed that the accident was so severe that:

“99 other passengers could have been sitting in that same seat — and they might not have made it out. He was extraordinarily lucky.”

The Investigation: What Caused the Air India Crash?

As shocking as the survival story is, the cause of the accident itself was equally alarming. Initial findings by India’s Aviation Safety Board revealed a tragic chain of multiple failures:

1?? Immediate Engine Failure After Takeoff

Moments after liftoff, one of the engines lost power.
With only one functioning engine, the aircraft struggled to maintain lift and balance.

2?? Faulty Altitude Sensors

Malfunctioning sensors provided incorrect data to the plane’s flight computers.
This resulted in dangerous oscillations and pilot confusion.

3?? Improper Weight Distribution

Cargo loading issues shifted the aircraft’s center of gravity.
Combined with the engine failure, this imbalance accelerated the loss of control.

4?? Severe Crosswinds

Strong crosswinds further destabilized the plane as it attempted to gain altitude.
The combination of mechanical failure and extreme weather proved catastrophic.

5?? Black Box Data

The flight data recorder showed the plane barely reached 450 feet before losing control.
The entire sequence from takeoff to crash lasted approximately 36-40 seconds.

The Heroic Rescue Operation

The rescue teams described the crash scene as something out of a battlefield:

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) rushed in with oxygen masks and soaked towels wrapped around their arms to protect against flames and smoke.
Rescuers navigated through dangerous wreckage, pulling out both bodies and survivors amidst extreme heat and falling debris.
Over 70-80% of the operations were carried out under incredibly hazardous conditions.

Viswashkumar was among the very few found alive — severely injured, but conscious and breathing.

Life and Death in Inches and Seconds

The Air India crash serves as a brutal reminder of how delicate life can be. The difference between survival and death often comes down to:

Which seat you sit in.
How quickly you react.
Pure chance.

Viswashkumar’s survival was attributed to:

? Being seated next to the emergency exit (seat 11A).
? The rupture of the fuselage creating an exit path.
? Swift removal of his seatbelt and immediate action.
? And, as everyone involved agrees: divine miracle.

What Can We Learn? Lessons for Every Air Passenger

While air travel remains statistically the safest form of transportation, this tragedy highlights several vital survival tips:

1?? Choose Your Seat Wisely

Seats near emergency exits increase your chance of a quick escape.

2?? Pay Attention to Safety Briefings

Always listen carefully to the safety instructions at the beginning of each flight.

3?? React Quickly in Emergencies

The first 90 seconds after impact are critical for survival.

4?? Leave Your Luggage Behind

Carry-on bags cost precious time. Focus solely on exiting safely.

5?? Dress Appropriately for Flights

Wear comfortable, flame-resistant clothing (cotton), and closed shoes.

6?? Always Wear Your Seatbelt

Keep your seatbelt fastened whenever seated to prevent injuries during turbulence.

7?? Stay Calm and Focused

Remaining calm improves your decision-making during emergencies.

The Divine Hand of Fate

Reflecting on his survival, Viswashkumar Ramesh quietly stated:

“I don’t know why I lived and my brother didn’t. I believe God gave me another chance. It’s something I will carry for the rest of my life.”

The Air India tragedy is not just an aviation accident — it’s a deeply emotional story of fate, family, and resilience. It reminds us of life’s fragility, and how everything we have can change in a matter of seconds.

Conclusion: A Story That The World Will Never Forget

The 2025 Air India crash will forever remain a dark chapter in aviation history. But amidst the wreckage, Viswashkumar’s survival shines as a beacon of hope — a testament to fate, quick action, and perhaps divine intervention.

As travelers, may we all learn from this tragedy:

Appreciate every moment.
Be aware and prepared.
And cherish our loved ones — for we never know when fate may intervene.

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