The sole survivor of the Air India plane crash, Viswashkumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, has provided a potentially crucial detail in his recollection of the tragic event that could help investigators understand the circumstances surrounding the crash. The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, on Thursday, claiming the lives of 241 passengers and crew members.

Ramesh, who was seated in 11A, near an emergency exit, has described a moment where the plane seemed to stall mid-air just after takeoff. He recounted feeling the engine thrust, followed by the plane crashing with speed into a medical college hostel. This detail about the momentary stall could be pivotal in determining the cause of the crash, whether it was engine failure, pilot error, or some other unforeseen circumstance.

"The plane had seemed to have come to a standstill midair for a few seconds shortly after taking off and felt the engine thrust, which later 'crashed with speed into the hostel'," Ramesh told reporters from his hospital bed. This account aligns with the plane crashing into a building immediately after takeoff, which indicates the plane never gained sufficient altitude.

According to Ramesh, after regaining consciousness, he unfastened his seatbelt and managed to escape through a broken exit. He recalls witnessing the death of other passengers including a flight attendant in the crash.

While the "miracle of seat 11A" has been widely reported, with videos circulating of Ramesh limping away from the wreckage, the focus is now turning to what caused the disaster. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ramesh in the hospital, assuring him and other injured victims of the crash that the nation stands with them.

Investigators will likely focus on the black box recordings to verify Ramesh's account of the engine thrust and apparent stall. Additionally, the wreckage will be carefully examined for any signs of mechanical failure or structural damage. The detail provided by Ramesh offers a crucial starting point for understanding the sequence of events that led to the crash.