In the aftermath of the tragic Air India AI171 crash in Ahmedabad, a 17-year-old boy named Aryan has found himself at the center of global attention. Unknowingly, his mobile phone captured the final, horrifying moments of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner as it struggled to stay airborne before crashing into a medical hostel complex near the airport. The video, initially intended to show his friends how planes fly, quickly went viral, becoming a crucial piece of visual evidence for investigators and offering the world a chilling glimpse into the disaster.

Aryan, a resident of a rented home close to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, often filmed planes taking off, a hobby driven by his friends' curiosity about aviation. "My friends back in our village wanted to see how they appear in the sky," he explained to The Indian Express. On that fateful Thursday, June 12, 2025, Aryan was on the terrace of his three-story building, planes seemingly within touching distance, when he decided to record a few videos after lunch. "I did not imagine I would capture a crash," he recounted.

The video, a mere 24 seconds long, shows the Air India plane taking off, initially appearing normal. However, moments later, the aircraft began to wobble and lose altitude. "I was confused as it had appeared to be taking off and then began wobbling," Aryan said. The confusion quickly turned to horror as the plane crashed in a "ball of fire with a deafening explosion."

The footage captured by Aryan provided the first visual confirmation of the crash, spreading rapidly across social media and news outlets worldwide. It showed the plane's struggle, its descent, and the eventual fiery impact, offering a raw and immediate perspective of the tragedy. For investigators, the video became a valuable tool, providing a timeline of the aircraft's final moments and helping them piece together the sequence of events leading to the crash. CCTV footage also showed abnormal behavior of the flight just seconds after takeoff. According to sources, the DGCA inquiry will heavily focus on CCTV footage from the airport, as it provides a critical timeline of the aircraft's final moments. The aircraft remained airborne for approximately 27 seconds. The takeoff appeared normal and stable, but between 7 to 12 seconds, footage reportedly shows abnormal behavior, indicating that something went wrong after takeoff. After 8 seconds, the aircraft started descending, suggesting a rapid loss of control or system failure.

However, the experience has left a deep scar on the young boy. "I felt very scared because of what I witnessed," Aryan told reporters. His sister revealed that he was deeply traumatized and expressed fear, saying, "He does not want to live here because it is dangerous." The constant sound of planes passing by only amplified his distress, causing him to panic.

The attention brought by the viral video has also disrupted Aryan's life. The sudden spotlight on his neighborhood led to a swarm of visitors, including police and media personnel, further unsettling him. His father, a retired army officer, had to intervene to protect his son from the overwhelming attention.

Aryan's video has not only become a crucial piece of evidence in the investigation but has also highlighted the human cost of such tragedies. A young boy, simply wanting to share the wonder of flight with his friends, inadvertently captured a disaster that shook the world, leaving him traumatized and forever changed. The Ahmedabad Crime Branch recorded Aryan's statement as a witness, clarifying that no arrests or detentions have been made in connection with the video.

Meanwhile, investigations into the crash are underway, with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and British investigators. The plane's flight data recorder, or black box, was recovered from the crash site. Authorities are also undertaking DNA testing to identify the remains of the victims, who were burned beyond recognition. As the world grapples with the aftermath of the Air India crash, Aryan's story serves as a poignant reminder of the unexpected ways in which technology can intersect with tragedy, and the profound impact such events can have on individuals and communities.