Survivor's claim that lights on Air India flight 'started flickering' could solve mystery of plane crash that killed 242 people, claim aviation experts
The British sole survivor of the Air India crash has revealed how the lights began flickering just before it went down and 'people died in front of my eyes'.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, from Leicester, has also described feeling like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was 'stuck in the air' and 'came to a standstill' rather than climbing after take off.
Aviation experts have speculated online that the flickering lights and other symptoms described by Mr Ramesh on board could be a sign of a power failure.
Air India are looking at several aspects of the crash including issues with the jet's engine thrust, its flaps, and why its landing gear remained open, a source close to the investigation has said.
The government is also looking at whether Air India was at fault, including over maintenance issues, the same insider said. The airline has also been ordered by India's aviation regulator to do safety checks on its entire Boeing 787 fleet.
But the key witness is Mr Ramesh - the only person to walk away from the Ahmedabad air disaster.
Describing what happened after take off in an interview from his hospital bed he said today: '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.'
It came after a passenger on the plane when it flew the day before the crash claimed that electronics on the jet such as the screens in the seats were not working.
He added: '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.'
Commenting on his survival, Mr Ramesh said: 'I don't know how I survived. 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.'
Experts have said that identifying the dead is proving hard due to the severity of the disaster.
Forensics Professor Naresh Soni told the Telegraph: 'All recovered remains have been transferred to the post-mortem unit. Our forensic teams are conducting DNA testing, and identification will be confirmed before remains are returned to families'.
Mr Ramesh was in seat 11A, next to one of the aircraft's emergency exits. MailOnline has found footage that online aviation enthusiasts claim the emergency exit next to Mr Ramesh flew off just before the crash.
Experts have raised concerns about what might have caused the fatal Air India crash - including potential problems with the Boeing 787's wing flaps and landing gear.
Investigations are being stepped up following yesterday's tragedy that killed hundreds of people aboard the London Gatwick-bound aircraft - and the Dreamliner's wing flaps are coming under extra scrutiny as possibly to blame.
Experts viewing footage of the Air India Boeing 787-8 ahead of the crash have said its configuration on taking off from Ahmedabad airport in India 'doesn't look right'.
The Dreamliner plane was carrying 242 passengers, including 53 Britons.
It has also been reported that an identical Boeing 787 made four emergency landings last month - an American Airlines plane with issues linked to its wing flaps not being properly deployed.
The aircraft is to have returned to Amsterdam not long after take-off toeards Philadelphia, before later aborted flights to Philadelphia from Dublin, Barcelona and Zurich, the Telegraph reported.
Meanwhile, one of the aircraft's black boxes has been recovered while the search for the other one is ongoing.
Ex- British Airways pilot Alastair Rosenschein, watching video of Air India's Flight 171 in yesterday's tragedy, suggested the plane 'clearly' had its landing gear down - saying that was 'not correct' and that 'it should have been up'.
A video posted to social media appeared to show the plane descending in a controlled manner with a high nose angle and landing gear deployed
The Air India flight to London with 242 people on board, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew members, crashed Thursday shortly after takeoff from an airport in Gujarat
Search and rescue teams respond to the scene of a plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, June 12, 2025
He told Sky News: 'It's not immensely clear - but it does look like the aircraft didn't have its take-off flap setting.'
He described how the flaps must be set accurately to extend each wing's shape and generate further lift at lower speeds enabling take-off and follow-up climb.
Mr Rosenschein suggested the wing flaps issue 'could explain why the aircraft came down', with the plane then unable 'to maintain flight'.
He added: 'The video is not that clear, but it doesn't look right to me. The altitude of the aircraft isn't right either and the aircraft seems to be descending rather than climbing - it does look like it's an aerodynamic issue because of not having the right flaps setting on take-off.'
The Air India tragedy that saw a Boeing 787 Dreamliner plummet into a residential neighborhood on Thursday continues to provoke speculation as to its cause.
Speculation has been rife that the plane was not correctly set up for takeoff - having not deployed its 'flaps', segments of the wing that are used to assist with lift.
Marco Chan, of Buckinghamshire New University, said the setting of the flaps was completely down to the pilot - with more flap increasing the surface area of the wing and helping with lift at lower speeds.
But if the plane is not travelling quickly enough, the wrong flap setting could actually work in reverse - and stall the plane. Footage appears to show the jet descending with its nose in the air, as if still trying to climb.
Mr Chan said: 'Looking at the footage there are several experts suggesting the flaps aren't configured properly - it is hard to tell, but it could be a possibility.
'Every take-off is slightly different and you may have a different flap setting. It may not have been set properly. If that is the case, that is definitely human error. But we do have other procedures to ensure that doesn't happen.'
The plane had been en route to London Gatwick, having taken off shortly after 1pm local time, in fair flying conditions.
Air India received multiple safety concerns which has raised questions about its maintenance practices, it has now been claimed.
Sanat Kaul, former Joint Secretary of the Civil Aviation Ministry, said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation had written to the airline on several occasions to highlight safety and inspection issues.
Mr Kaul said: 'In this matter, the DGCA Director General of Civil Aviation is the regulator.
'It functions under the Ministry, but operates independently. DGCA had written to Air India several times, pointing out multiple issues, mainly regarding safety, things like improper inspections and other lapses.
'So the question now arises about the maintenance procedures followed by Air India.
Astonishing footage showed the man walking away from the scene with some visible injuries to his face
Wreckage of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner lies at the site where the Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025
'There's also concern about what's called 'line maintenance', the checks conducted by inspectors before every flight. How thorough and effective those checks were is now under scrutiny.'
Air India has yet to respond to Mr Kaul's claims.
Meanwhile, the Indian government is considering grounding Air India's Boeing 787 fleet, the country's broadcaster NDTV reported.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said on Thursday: 'Investigations will take time, but anything we can do now we are doing.'
He visited the crash site on Friday morning but did not answer any questions from reporters, having previously expressing his 'deep sorrow' over the tragedy.
Mr Wilson also said that Air India's efforts were 'focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones'.
The British survivor of the Air India plane crash has been visited by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.
Video footage shows Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, talking to Mr Modi while lying on his hospital bed.
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The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
‘My grandson was burnt alive': Grief engulfs neighbourhood where Air India crash killed dozens on the ground
Grief hangs heavy in Meghani Nagar in Ahmedabad, as the wreckage of a London‑bound Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner lies smouldering in the compound of BJ Medical College. The devastating crash – which took place around 2pm local time on Thursday – left emergency services scrambling amid thick plumes of smoke and debris, entire streets in shock and families shattered. All but one of the 242 people on board the flight were killed, but there were dozens more fatalities on the ground as the plane came down in a residential area. Among those devastated by the unfathomable tragedy is the Patni family. Seventy-year-old Babibehen Babu Bhai Patni sits on the gritty communal floor of her residential society, utterly inconsolable. Click here for the latest updates on the crash She mourns her 12-year-old grandson Akash, whose life was tragically cut short, while her son and daughter‑in‑law suffered grievous injuries. The young boy was accompanying his mother, Sitabehen Patni, when he fell asleep beneath a tree near their tea stall on the college grounds. Moments later, the aircraft hurtled from the sky, engulfing him in a fatal fire. 'All that remains of him is his burnt body, almost looking like a piece of ash,' Babibehen says, her voice choked with agony. 'My daughter… her arm, her leg, all burnt. She is serious and in ICU. My son is also burnt. Nothing of my grandson's is left. What will I do? Is this even his age to die?' Her grief is unfiltered, raw, and unrelenting as she wails loudly, surrounded by the women of her community. The body of Akash remains at the hospital in Ahmedabad, awaiting identification and release to his family – a cruel limbo that amplifies her sorrow. Outside the Civil Hospital, 24‑year‑old Kajal Patni – Akash's grief-struck elder sister – waits in the oppressive sun as she retraces the final moments of her brother's life 'He had gone to get lunch for my parents at around 2pm,' she explains. 'Mum had come home for a quick shower, so he took a nap waiting for her. She was almost back when the crash happened. A deafening explosion was followed by wisps of dark smoke. When she ran towards him, everything was pitch‑black. Tears stream down her face. 'The authorities haven't told me when I will see his body. I just want my brother… I feel restless, suffocated, like I cannot breathe. Both my children used to play around him. What will I tell them?' This grief is not contained within hospital walls; it spills across the campus grounds, amplified by cellphone videos circulating of Akash's charred, unidentifiable remains lying in the rubble. Inside the medical college hostel kitchen, 30‑year‑old Shahana Khatoon was cleaning pots when the calamity struck. 'I heard a huge explosion,' she recalls, eyes distant. 'Suddenly, everything went black – from the dense smoke. At first, I thought it was a big storm. But then people started yelling, 'A plane has crashed! Run!' Debris and dust filled the air. I was terrified.' She and a colleague attempted to flee, aided by two boys eating at a café nearby. 'They saved us, but both were injured in the melee,' she says, referring to the chaos left in the wake of the crash. Now, Khatoon anxiously awaits news of her missing co‑worker and the woman's two-year-old granddaughter, Adiya. 'Their bodies haven't been found,' she says, voice quivering. 'We're still looking for them.' Her husband, Kurban Ali, 35, rushed to the site fearing for his wife and daughter's lives. 'I was frantic,' he says. 'Police wouldn't let me in. My wife and daughter returned about four hours later – thankfully okay –but those hours were quite painful for me. I did not know whether they were dead or alive.' 'It was at least an hour after the incident, that my wife managed to contact me and tell that she was safe,' he says, standing outside his society. Footage recorded by residents captured the scene: thick black smoke swallowed hundreds of metres of the campus, as survivors frantically tried to escape the blast zone. From his sixth-floor kitchen window, 38‑year‑old Arunbhai Mangal Bhai Parmar witnessed the horrifying descent of the aircraft. 'It was flying straight, then suddenly just stopped –parked in the air – and plunged,' he says, mimicking its sudden drop. 'Then came the blast.' He tried to assist but was thwarted by fire and security barriers, he says. 'The rescue work could only begin once the fire brigade arrived – about 30 minutes later. Even then, I could do nothing; police had already blocked access.' Surrounding streets were thrown into pandemonium. Just next door, 55‑year‑old Suresh Bhai was tending to his sewing shop when he heard the tremendous impact. 'At first, we thought it was a bomb. There was a massive plume of smoke, and we were terrified there might be another explosion,' he recalls. 'At first we thought it was an attack or something. There was a lot of chaos. Everyone started rushing down. Firefighters came in soon. We were all scared that what if it is a bomb blast and feared there might be another." In the hours that followed the crash, debris lay strewn across the campus compound. Initial images show a jagged section of fuselage embedded in the college building. At least five medical students enrolled at BJ Medical College died, and around fifty others were injured. The charred remains of the building where the jet had smashed remain ominously blackened. The impact of the plane crash could also be seen outside the post-mortem office of Civil Hospital, located about a kilometre from the impact site. The air was thick with the smell of burnt bodies, with officials, civilians and media personnel roaming around with their faces covered with masks. Hundreds of relatives gathered outside sat inert, their expressions vacant with loss and uncertainty. Some waited for the bodies of loved ones, others held on to a flicker of hope, as ambulances arrived in quick succession. Security forces – police, CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), NSG (National Security Guard) and NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) – were rapidly deployed after the crash, and the government swiftly imposed strict information controls. Air India's parent company, the Tata Group, has pledged Rs10m – roughly £86,000 –to the next of kin of each victim. They will also cover medical expenses of the injured and assist in rebuilding parts of the college. But as yet, the final death toll from the ground has yet to be confirmed. Officials on condition of anonymity told The Independent that at least seven bodies have been released to families after post‑mortem checks and DNA tests. A senior hospital official said: 'They have instructed us not to release the death toll for another two days, until all bodies are identified.'
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Aussie cricket star David Warner has vowed to NEVER fly with Air India again after plane crash disaster
Former Australian cricketer David Warner has vowed to never fly Air India against after the recent plane crash disaster that killed 274 people. On June 12, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner enroute from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in 274 fatalities, including 241 onboard and 33 on the ground. The aircraft lost stability at approximately 625 feet altitude and descended rapidly within a minute of departure, crashing into the hostel block of B.J. Medical College in the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad. The sole survivor, 40-year-old British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was seated in seat 11A near an emergency exit and managed to escape the wreckage with injuries. Investigations are ongoing, with both black boxes recovered, one of which sustained minor damage. Preliminary reports suggest potential mechanical failures, with the aircraft's landing gear possibly still deployed during takeoff. Warner, who recently returned to Pakistan for the completion of the PSL, shared an alleged account from an ex-Air India crew person named Vivek that had been posted to social media. 'Hey! I'm an ex air india crew and this was a frequent aircraft that I'd fly,' the original post read. 'This aircraft has had issues for YEARS. Literally years. 'The crew, pilots, engineers, literally everyone has always mentioned about it in the log book. 'But the company didn't have a spare Dreamliner for their most precious Gatwick sector. Which is why we were always made to fly this aircraft. 'I've myself had an engine failure on this aircraft. Thankfully we landed back safely. 'It was a similar case where we took off and immediately landed back without being in air for even 30 mins. 'Here, no staff but solely the company is at fault. But the company won't let any staff talk about it on a public channel. They'd rather blame the staff and not take accountability.' Warner has had issues with Air India before, posting this complaint to social media in March Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting the information in this post is factual or that Air India is at fault for the tragedy. India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation has ordered enhanced maintenance checks on Air India's Boeing 787 fleet. However Warner shared the post with the caption: 'If this is true it's absolutely shocking. Thoughts go out to all the families.' He tagged the post with @airindia and also wrote that he would not continue to fly with the Indian airline. 'I would never fly @airindia ever again after this and my last interaction with them,' Warner posted. The previous incident Warner is referring to happened in March, when he and hundreds of other passengers were forced to wait in an Air India plane that did not have any pilots. 'We've boarded an aircraft without any pilots and have been waiting for hours. Given that you don't have any pilots for the aircraft, why would you still board passengers? Warner posted to X at the time. Air India addressed the issue in a social media response at the time. Ambulances are seen parked near the post-mortem room at a hospital before transferring victims' dead bodies to a mortuary in Ahmedabad 'Departure was delayed because the crew running your flight was delayed on a previous assignment that was impacted by these problems. Thank you for choosing to fly with us, and we appreciate your patience,' Air India said on X. Warner also shared footage of United States Senator Josh Hawley who recently grilled the Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun over 737 safety hazards. '@Boeing another plane gone down. Innocent lives lost, sack people to make profit for their executives. Disgraceful,' Warner posted as the caption. Air India is co-operating with authorities in the wake of the tragedy. 'Air India offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of all those affected, their families and loved ones,' it said in a statement. 'A team of caregivers from Air India is now in Ahmedabad to provide additional support. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.' In a separate statement, Boeing said: 'We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected.' Warner became one of the most successful overseas players in history in the Indian Premier League and is a local favourite. UPDATE: Air India confirms that flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on 12 June 2025, was involved in an accident. The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly… — Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025 A statement from Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg on Air India Flight 171. Full statement: — Boeing Airplanes (@BoeingAirplanes) June 12, 2025 Over 176 matches, he scored 6397 runs at an average of 41.54 and a strike rate of 139.91. He notched up four centuries and 61 fifties, and claimed the Orange Cap as the league's leading running scorer three times - in 2015, 2017 and 2019. Warner also captained Sunrisers Hyderabad to their only IPL title in 2016. The left-hander is also the fourth highest run-scorer in the league's history, behind only Indian legends Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Warner went unsold in the most recent IPL auction and played in the Pakistan Super League instead. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the disaster was devastating.
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
NHS pays tribute to 'dedicated' doctor and family who died in plane crash
Dr Prateek Joshi was flying back to the UK with his wife Komi Vyas and their three children on the doomed Air India plane after they planned to settle down in the East Midlands In an emotional tribute University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) and the NHS have shared their "deep sadness" following the tragic death of Dr Prateek Joshi and his family in the Air India plane crash this week. There were among the 242 passengers and crew on board, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Brits, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian. Harrowing stories of the dead continued to emerge on Friday - including more tributes for Dr Joshi and his family who posted a selfie of them innocently smiling after boarding the Boeing 787 plane before it took off. Dr Joshi, 43, worked as a consultant radiologist at the Royal Derby Hospital and Queen's Hospital Burton for four years, after moving to Derby from India in 2021. He was flying back to the UK with his wife Komi Vyas – a fellow doctor - their daughter Miraya, eight, and twin sons, Pradyut and Nakul, five, who planned to settle down in the East Midlands. The NHS has released a new tribute to the doctor and his family on Friday. Dr Rajeev Singh, Consultant Radiologist and Clinical Director for Imaging at UHDB, who knew the family well has shared some words which truly capture the person Prateek was. Dr Singh said: "Prateek was full of joy, he was a wonderful man, friend, husband and father, and an exceptional Radiologist who was highly respected in his field. He approached everything with a smile, radiated positivity and had a great sense of humour. "He moved to Derby, from India, in 2021, quickly becoming a beloved colleague. He often entertained colleagues with stories about his passions outside of work, including his newly discovered love of fish and chips and enthusiasm for walking in the Peak District. "He touched the lives of so many people, both through his clinical work and as a colleague and friend to many. "It is hard to accept that a man with such a passion for life, and his beautiful young family, have been taken in this way. His passing has left a profound void, not only in his professional contributions but in the warmth and spirit that he gave to the world every day." Royal Derby Hospital described Dr Joshi as 'not only an excellent doctor for whom nothing was too much trouble, but also a warm, smiling and kind man who was a hugely liked and valued member of the team'. Stephen Posey, Chief Executive, added: "We are profoundly and deeply saddened at the loss of our dedicated and talented colleague, Dr Prateek Joshi and his family. Prateek was not only an excellent doctor for whom nothing was too much trouble, but also a warm, smiling and kind man who was a hugely liked and valued member of the team. "We are privileged that Prateek chose to give his skills, talent and knowledge to the NHS, and he will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of working with him." The NHS statement concluded: "Our thoughts are with Dr Joshi's family, friends and colleagues, and everyone who has been impacted by this tragedy, which is being felt across the world and within our local communities."
