Key Facts
• June 12: Passenger plane crashes in a residential area shortly after takeoff.
• Aircraft: Air India Boeing 787, carrying 242 passengers and crew.
• Fatalities: 265 people, including over 20 on the ground.
• Survivor: Ramesh, seated in economy row 11A near the emergency exit.
• Survivor’s account: Plane paused mid-air for 5–10 seconds before accelerating into a building.
• Crash site: Residential area with homes and a university; significant structural damage.
• Expert analysis: Landing gear remained deployed; plane failed to gain altitude.
• Altitude: Reached 190 meters before descending rapidly.
• Possible causes: Engine failure or other technical issues; bird strike ruled out.
• Black box: Recovered for investigation by local authorities.
Summary
A tragic crash involving an Air India Boeing 787 occurred on June 12, shortly after takeoff from an airport in western India. The plane, en route to the UK, crashed into a residential area, killing 265 people, including over 20 on the ground. Ramesh, the sole survivor, described the harrowing moments before the crash, noting a sudden pause in the plane’s movement before it accelerated into a building. Experts analyzing footage identified anomalies, including the landing gear remaining deployed and the plane’s failure to gain altitude. The aircraft reached 190 meters before descending rapidly. Investigators are examining the black box to determine the cause, with engine failure being a potential factor. This incident raises questions about the safety of the Boeing 787, a model previously considered state-of-the-art.
