In a twist of fate that underscores the unpredictable nature of life, Bhoomi Chauhan, a resident of Ahmedabad, narrowly escaped disaster when she missed boarding Air India Flight AI171, which crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025, killing 241 of the 242 people on board. The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, emerged from the wreckage in what has been described as a miraculous escape. For Chauhan, a traffic jam that delayed her arrival at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport by just 10 minutes turned out to be her salvation. This article explores the harrowing events of the crash, Chauhan’s brush with destiny, and the broader implications of the tragedy that has shaken India and the world.

The Fateful Flight AI171

Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was scheduled to depart from Ahmedabad, India, at 1:39 p.m. local time (8:09 GMT) on June 12, 2025, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport. The flight carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. Among them were families returning home, professionals, and students, all unaware of the tragedy that awaited.

According to flight tracking data from FlightRadar24, the aircraft reached an altitude of just 625 feet (190 meters) before its signal was lost less than a minute after takeoff. A Mayday call was issued to air traffic control, signaling an emergency, but no further response came from the cockpit. Videos circulating on social media captured the plane struggling to gain altitude, its tail sagging as it descended over a residential area in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar. Moments later, the aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel at BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital, bursting into flames and creating a scene of devastation. The crash claimed the lives of all but one person on board and killed at least eight people on the ground, including medical students.

The wreckage was catastrophic, with parts of the fuselage scattered across the site and the plane’s tail embedded in the hostel building. The intense fire, fueled by nearly 125,000 liters of aviation fuel, left most bodies charred beyond recognition, complicating identification efforts. Indian authorities have resorted to DNA testing to identify victims, a process that has left families in agonizing uncertainty.

Bhoomi Chauhan’s Stroke of Luck

Bhoomi Chauhan, an Ahmedabad native who has lived in London for several years, was among those scheduled to board Flight AI171. She had been visiting family in India and was eager to return to her life in the UK. On the morning of June 12, she set out for the airport, expecting to arrive with ample time to check in. However, heavy traffic in Ahmedabad’s bustling city center delayed her journey, causing her to arrive at the airport 10 minutes late.

“I had reached the check-in gate and requested them to allow me to board the flight. I told them I shall clear all the formalities quickly, but they did not allow me to proceed,” Chauhan recounted in an interview with LBC News. “I was upset and reached the airport exit when I learnt the plane had crashed. My mind was numb, and I began shivering.”

Chauhan described the moment she realized the gravity of her near-miss: “I was totally numb. I thank my mother Goddess that I am safe, but the incident is absolutely terrifying.” Speaking to Republic, a local news outlet, she expressed gratitude to divine intervention, saying, “My Ganpati ji saved me.” She admitted to being “completely devastated” by the loss of life but overwhelmed with relief at her own survival.

Chauhan’s story has resonated widely, serving as a poignant reminder of how small delays can alter one’s fate. Her experience contrasts sharply with the tragedy that befell the passengers and crew of Flight AI171, amplifying the sense of randomness that often accompanies such disasters.

The Sole Survivor: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh

While Chauhan’s survival was a matter of not boarding the plane, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh’s survival was nothing short of miraculous. The 40-year-old British national of Indian origin was seated in seat 11A, next to an emergency exit. According to police reports, Ramesh managed to open the emergency exit door and jump out of the plane just before it crashed into the medical college hostel.

Ramesh described the chaotic moments leading up to the crash in an interview with the Hindustan Times: “Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise, and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.” He recalled seeing bodies and plane parts strewn around the crash site, a scene that left him terrified. “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran,” he said.

Speaking to DD News from his hospital bed, Ramesh elaborated: “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 – then the plane rammed into some establishment that was there.” He escaped through a small opening near his seat, suffering burns and impact injuries to his chest, face, and feet. “I saw people dying in front of my eyes – the air hostesses, and two people I saw near me,” he said, still in disbelief at his survival.

Ramesh’s survival has sparked discussions among aviation experts about the role of seat location in crash survivability. While some speculate that his proximity to the emergency exit was key, others, like Mitchell Fox of the Flight Safety Foundation, caution that “each accident is different, and it is impossible to predict survivability based on seat location.”

The Aftermath and Investigation

The crash of Flight AI171 is one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in decades, prompting an immediate response from Indian authorities and international investigators. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) recovered the flight’s black box, a critical step in determining the cause of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) from the United States and UK experts have joined the investigation, with Boeing pledging full support.

Preliminary theories suggest possible causes ranging from engine failure—potentially due to a bird strike—to incorrect flap settings during takeoff. Aviation technical services specialist Artem Koreshkov noted that footage of the plane’s takeoff suggested “the flaps were not in the takeoff position,” which could have prevented the aircraft from gaining sufficient lift.

The crash has also reignited scrutiny of Boeing, as the 787-8 Dreamliner involved was the first of its kind to be involved in a fatal incident since its introduction in 2011. India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has ordered Air India to conduct additional safety inspections on its Boeing 787 fleet equipped with GE Aerospace GEnx engines.

A Nation in Mourning

The human toll of the crash extends beyond the passengers and crew. The plane’s impact on the BJ Medical College hostel killed at least five medical students and injured nearly 50 others, some critically. The loss of Vijay Rupani, former chief minister of Gujarat, added a high-profile dimension to the tragedy.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met with Ramesh at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital, expressing condolences and pledging support for the victims’ families. World leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and US President Donald Trump, have also extended sympathies.

Air India, now owned by the Tata Group, has announced compensation of approximately £86,000 per victim under the Montreal Convention, though legal experts advise families to seek independent advice before accepting settlements.

Reflections on Fate and Resilience

Bhoomi Chauhan’s story, juxtaposed with Vishwash Kumar Ramesh’s miraculous survival, highlights the fragile interplay of chance and circumstance. For Chauhan, a traffic delay transformed from an inconvenience into a lifesaver. For Ramesh, quick thinking and a fortunate seat assignment defied the odds. Together, their experiences underscore the unpredictability of life and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

As investigations continue and families grapple with their loss, the crash of Flight AI171 will leave an indelible mark on India’s aviation history. It serves as a somber reminder of the importance of safety, preparedness, and the enduring hope that even in the darkest moments, stories of survival can emerge.