The London-bound Dreamliner had just left Ahmedabad Airport when the pilot war:ned a hopeless mayday call: “Mayday… no thrust, losing power, unable to lift.”
The aircraft, barely 400 feet off the ground, lost both engines in what is being described as a frightening freefall. It crashed into a hostel used by medical students, transforming the building into an inferno.
In chilling footage of the crash, a large object is recorded flewing away from the aircraft just seconds before it explodes into flames, per the Daily Mail.
Video shows object ‘flying off Air India plane’ seconds before crash – as expert hails ‘miraculous’ escape of British survivor in seat 11A https://t.co/Dgdvhm3EZh
— Daily Mail Australia (@DailyMailAU) June 13, 2025
Experts believe it may have been the very emergency door next to seat 11A, happened by Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was the lone survivor of the flight.
Professor John McDermid from the University of York said: “Also, being by an exit door means you can get out quickly, which greatly increases the chance of survival when there is a fire.”
Edwin Galea, director at the University of Greenwich, told the Telegraph: “The survivor’s seat is 11A and on the 787-8, that’s right by the number two exit.”
“So he’s got the seat as close as you could possibly be to an emergency exit. You can’t be any closer.”
“It’s right on his side and he’s actually in the A seat, which is the window seat. You could reach up and touch the door, you’re that close to it.”
Reports from Reuters said Vishwash popped out the emergency exit. His boarding pass confirmed his identity and seat number.
Vishwash’s older brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, 45, was also on board but tragically did not survive.
“We were all in surprise as soon as we heard what occured, just utter sh0ck. Speechless,” Nayan said.
“It’s a miracle Vishwash is alive. But we’ve lost Ajay. It’s devastating. I’m terrified to even fly now.”
Cited by the Daily Mail, two leading theories have applied: a bird strike that may have disabled both engines, and possible issues with the aircraft’s flaps.
Captain Saurabh Bhatnagar said: “From the footage I have seen, it looks like prima facie the case of multiple bird hits. The takeoff was perfect.”
