The Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The crash has claimed the lives of over 200 people. Amidst the devastation, a single survivor, identified as British national Ramesh Vishwaskumar Bucharvada, was miraculously rescued from the wreckage. What makes his survival even more intriguing is that he was seated in seat 11A.

Seat 11A's proximity to an emergency exit on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner may have played a crucial role in Ramesh's survival. According to Aerolopa, an online repository of airplane seating plans, seat 11A is a window seat located in the first row of the Economy class cabin. More importantly, it's positioned right behind one of the doors that serve as emergency exits.

The crash occurred shortly after takeoff. Initial reports indicate that the aircraft reached an altitude of only 625 feet before disaster struck. The plane then crashed into a hostel building of B J Medical College and Hospital. The impact and subsequent wreckage resulted in a scene of utter chaos, with little chance of survival for most on board.

Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik confirmed that Ramesh was the sole survivor found at the crash site. Video footage taken shortly after the crash shows Ramesh, injured but alive, walking towards an ambulance, surrounded by bystanders. In the video, he recounts the horrific experience, stating that the plane "exploded."

Ramesh is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital for "impact injuries" to his chest, eyes, and feet. He told media that the crash happened quickly, and he saw bodies all around him. "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," Ramesh stated.

The Air India crash is the first crash of a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The aircraft has generally had a good safety record since it was first delivered to airlines in 2011. The incident has, however, put a renewed spotlight on Boeing, especially given the company's recent history of safety concerns with other aircraft models, such as the 737 Max.

Investigations into the cause of the crash are underway, with U.S. safety officials heading to India to assist the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. Preliminary investigations suggest the possibility of both engines losing power shortly after takeoff, a scenario that pilots have described as extremely rare. Other theories, such as bird strikes, have been largely ruled out due to the lack of evidence and the design of the Boeing 787 engines.