The Only Survivor Among 242 Passengers
Economy Seat Near Emergency Exit
No Life-Threatening Injuries, Older Brother Onboard Killed
In the Air India plane crash that occurred in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, western India, only one out of 242 passengers survived. The seat where this survivor was sitting, 11A, was located in the middle section of the aircraft and had previously been considered an "unpopular seat," but in this accident, it became known as the "lucky seat," drawing attention. On June 12 (local time), Indian media outlet Hindustan Times highlighted seat 11A, where 40-year-old male survivor Vishwashikumar Ramesh was sitting, as he miraculously survived while more than 240 passengers perished in the Air India AI171 crash.
Among the 242 passengers on Air India flight AI171, Vishwashikumar Ramesh miraculously survived. India Today
Describing the situation at the time of the accident, survivor Ramesh said, "Problems began less than 30 seconds after takeoff, and as a loud noise erupted, the plane crashed. At the very last moment, I was able to jump out of the Boeing 787." He was still holding the boarding pass marked 11A, and this seat number quickly spread online, being dubbed the "lucky seat."
The seat Ramesh occupied is being cited as a key reason for his survival in this major accident. His seat was the left window seat (11A) in the 11th row of economy class, located closest to the emergency exit. According to Bloomberg, this seat is relatively unpopular; due to the characteristics of smaller aircraft, even though it is a window seat, it is somewhat removed from the window, making it difficult to see outside. Last year, American Airlines flight attendants told a media outlet, "Both 11A and 11F are window seats, but passengers avoid them."
Additionally, since the seat is located in the middle of the aircraft, it is usually among the last to disembark. An expert from aviation specialist firm Flightradar24 explained, "Due to the configuration of the cabin air conditioning system in Boeing aircraft, seats like 11A often do not have a window installed. If you want to get off the plane quickly, you should avoid this seat."
Meanwhile, the Air India passenger plane involved in the accident sharply descended and crashed into the dormitory building of a state medical college in the Meghaninagar area east of the airport, shortly after taking off from the western Indian city of Ahmedabad on June 12. As the crash occurred right after takeoff, the plane's fuel tanks were full, leading to an explosion. With thick smoke and fierce flames witnessed at the scene, Ramesh's survival is being described as a miracle.
There were a total of 242 people on board this flight, including two pilots, ten crew members, and 230 passengers. Ramesh, a British national, was visiting India to see his family and was on his way back to the UK with his older brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh (45). The two brothers were seated in different rows. Ramesh said, "When I regained consciousness and stood up, there were bodies around me. I was terrified. I got up and ran, but airplane debris was scattered everywhere. Someone grabbed me, put me in an ambulance, and took me to the hospital. I couldn't find my brother."
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