India's tragic crash comes amid a rapid expansion of air travel
TRAGEDY STRUCK India on the afternoon of June 12th. Air India flight 171 crashed moments after take-off from the airport in Ahmedabad, the biggest city in the western state of Gujarat. The Boeing 787 came down in a densely built-up area, exploding in a fireball. It was carrying 242 people. The plane last reported climbing to 625 feet at a ground speed of 200mph (322kph), according to data from Flightradar24, a flight-tracking service, before losing altitude. The pilots reportedly issued a mayday call in the final moments of the flight. Ahmedabad-based media say that the plane crashed into a medical-college hostel as students were eating lunch. Emergency services are on the scene.
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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Air India: Black box found at Ahmedabad crash site as families wait for answers
A black box has been found at the site of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, India's civil aviation minister said on Friday. The flight data recorder was recovered within 28 hours by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed. All but one of the 242 people on the London-bound flight died when it crashed into a residential area less than 60 seconds after take-off on Thursday. An official told the BBC that at least eight people on the ground were also killed."The [recovery of the black box] marks an important step forward in the investigation" and will "significantly aid the inquiry" into the disaster, Mr Kinjarapu said. Live updates as investigators search plane's wreckageBBC Verify on what could have caused the crashEverything we know so far about flight AI171Watch: How the day unfoldedAs details continue to emerge, who are the victims?Analysis: What does this mean for Boeing? Planes usually carry two black boxes - small but tough electronic data recorders. One records flight data, such as altitude and speed. The other records sound from the cockpit, so investigators can hear what the pilots are saying and listen for any unusual is leading the inquiry into the cause of the crash, helped by teams from the US and UK. Boeing's chief executive, Kelly Ortberg, said the company was supporting the investigation. Air India said there were 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft when it crashed moments after taking off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT). It was scheduled to land at London's Gatwick airport at 18:25 Friday, the wreckage was still scattered across the crash site, including the blackened wing of the plane, with large pieces of the aircraft stuck in arrived at the scene and crowds were moved further away from the wreckage. A doctor told the BBC that they are relying on DNA from relatives to identify the victims. A police official at the post-mortem room told the BBC that the remains of six people had been released to families so far, as their relatives were able to identify them based on facial sole survivor of the crash, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, who was in seat 11A on the flight, is still recovering in hospital. "I still cannot believe how I made it out alive," he told India's state broadcaster DD News on Thursday."At first, I thought I was going to die. I managed to open my eyes, unfastened my seat belt and tried to exit the plane."Mr Ramesh, 40, who sustained burn injuries on his left hand, said he saw the aircraft crew and its passengers die in front of his desperate families are still waiting for news of their relatives. Imtiaz Ali, whose brother Javed and his family were on the flight, said that until he sees his brother's body, he will not believe he has died."If I get sad and start crying, then I'll be uncontrollable," he told the BBC. "No-one will be able to stop me... my heart might burst." The plane crashed in a residential area called Meghani Nagar and, even though it had just taken off, the impact was severe. Wreckage spread over 200m (656ft), according to responders. It is still unclear exactly how many were killed on the ground, but the BBC has been told that at least eight people, who were not on the aircraft, have died. Dr Minakshi Parikh, the dean of the BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital, said four of their students died as the plane crashed into buildings on the campus."There were also four relatives of our doctors who were on the campus when the aircraft crashed - they too were killed," Dr Parikh said."We are relying only on DNA matching to identify them and it is something where we simply cannot rush or afford mistakes. "We are working with sincerity. We want relatives to understand, and be a bit patient. We want to hand over [the bodies] as soon as possible." On Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent around 20 minutes at the site of the plane crash. He did not speak to reporters afterwards but a video posted on his YouTube channel showed him walking around the site and inspecting the also visited the location of a now-viral image that shows the tail of the crashed plane lodged in a building. Earlier on Friday, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson also went to the crash site, later describing the visit as "deeply moving".According to data by tracking website, Flightradar24, the Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 had completed more than 700 flights in the year leading up to the Thursday's disaster. The Air India plane was 11 years old and its most common routes included flights between Mumbai and Dubai, as well as the capital New Delhi and European destinations such as Milan, Paris and plane had operated 25 flights from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick in the past two years.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Tiny detail in Brit sole survivor's gripping recollection of how doomed Air India jet went down may help solve mystery
THE death-cheating Brit sole survivor of the Air India disaster has revealed a clue something was wrong just moments before the crash. Vishwash Ramesh, 40, said the cabin lights began flickering before the jet sank through the air - a detail which could help solve the mystery of the catastrophe. 7 Vishwash Ramesh in hospital, visited by Indian PM Narendra Modi Credit: AFP 7 The Brit staggered away from the wreckage relatively unscathed Credit: Twitter 7 Investigators are scrambling to figure out what went so wrong with the plane Credit: Reuters Recalling the moments before tragedy, Vishwash, from Leicester, said: "When the flight took off, within five to 10 seconds it felt like it was stuck in the air. "Suddenly, the lights started flickering - green and white. "The aircraft wasn't gaining altitude and was just gliding before it suddenly slammed into a building and exploded." Vishwash's flickering lights revelation comes after a passenger, who took the plane the day before the crash, claimed electrical parts such as the back-of-seat screens weren't working. read more on the disaster CRASH RIDDLE What caused Air India plane crash? 6 theories from landing gear to 40C weather Aviation experts have speculated that the reports of dodgy electrics could be a sign of a power failure, possibly explaining the crash. Air India is keeping an open mind as to what went wrong and caused the deaths of 52 Brits. Theories being considered include issues with the engine thrust, flaps and landing gear - as well as a bird strike and a pilot error. And the Indian government's investigation is also considering whether Air India was at fault in any way. India's aviation regulator had recently ordered the airline to safety check its entire Boeing 787 fleet. Vishwash is the only person who can provide an insider's witness account of the moment - and previously said he has "no idea" how he survived. 'I opened my eyes & slipped out'…Brit sole survivor of Air India crash details escape He said: "I saw people dying in front of my eyes – the air hostesses, and two people I saw near me [...] I walked out of the rubble." The lucky escapee speculated: 'I think the side I was on was not facing the hostel. I don't know about others." Other analysts have suggested he managed to escape thanks to a flying piece of fuselage - which was caught soaring through the air on video. Vishwash's seat was 11A, right next to the emergency door, which is understood to have blown off when the plane struck the building and then exploded. 7 Government officials beneath the tail of the plane, which remains wedged in a building Credit: EPA 7 Vishwash's boarding pass shows that he sat in seat 11A Credit: HT Photo In the unbelievable footage, a tiny object is seen flying away for a split second - right before the jet is engulfed in flames. Investigators continue to analyse the footage and search for the mystery piece of debris as they try to find out what caused the horror crash. Recalling the moment of disbelief when he found himself alive, Vishwash said: "At first, I thought I was dead. Later, I realised I was still alive and saw an opening in the fuselage. "I managed to unbuckle myself, used my leg to push through that opening and crawled out." 7 Vishwash's brother, Nayankumar Ramesh, said the survivor had phone home to say he was 'fine' Credit: ITV 7 Luggage of the passengers lies in a pile at the crash site Credit: EPA "When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. "Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital." Vishwash that the plane caught fire before he fought through the rubble - and then exploded when he was just out of harm's way. Footage shows Vishwash, staggering and caked in blood with locals helping him an ambulance. Speaking in Hindi, he says: "I just got out of the plane, it exploded." From there he was rushed to hospital, and has since heaped praise on the medical staff treating him. He said: 'My treatment is going well, and the people are very supportive.' Vishwash's brother Ajay was onboard the plane and died.
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Evening Standard
an hour ago
- Evening Standard
Why massaging your face and neck can help prevent Alzheimer's
Air India plane crash LIVE: Sole survivor of Gatwick-bound flight disaster tells of miracle escape - 'I managed to unbuckle myself... and crawled out' Air India crash survivor reveals how he escaped plane: 'I crawled out'
