Sole survivor of Air India crash describes the moments after impact

Summary

A tragic crash involving an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner left 242 passengers aboard, with only one survivor. The survivor, a 38-year-old British national seated in 11A, managed to escape through an emergency door. Video footage shows the plane crashing shortly after takeoff, causing widespread destruction, including fatalities on the ground. Authorities are investigating the cause, with possibilities such as a bird strike or engine failure. The flight data recorder has been recovered, but the cockpit voice recorder is still missing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site, and an inspection of all Boeing 787s is underway.

Takeaways

• 😀 A tragic crash involving an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner occurred shortly after takeoff, with only one survivor out of 242 people onboard.
• 😀 The sole survivor, a British national seated in seat 11A, miraculously escaped the wreckage and walked away from the crash site.
• 😀 The survivor described the event as happening very quickly, with a loud bang heard just seconds before the plane crashed.
• 😀 The crash site was near residential buildings, and the wreckage ended up on top of a medical student hostel.
• 😀 Investigators are examining the black box recovered from the aircraft, which will provide valuable data on the crash's cause.
• 😀 Initial speculations include possible causes such as a bird strike, double engine failure, or improperly deployed flaps.
• 😀 The crash caused fatalities not only on the plane but also on the ground, with dozens of people killed as the plane crashed into buildings.
• 😀 Aviation experts highlighted the unusual nature of the crash, especially given the survivor’s proximity to the plane’s tail and the weight of the wing spar.
• 😀 The black box, once analyzed, is expected to shed light on the plane's operation and help determine if any mechanical failures contributed to the crash.
• 😀 India's aviation regulator has ordered Air India to conduct safety inspections on all its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, a standard procedure after such incidents.

Q & A

What happened in the tragic crash of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner?

The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff, barely leaving the runway before descending behind residential buildings and eventually exploding. The crash resulted in the deaths of 242 passengers and crew members, with only one survivor—a British national who was seated in seat 11A.

How did the sole survivor manage to escape the wreckage?

The sole survivor, a 38-year-old British national, managed to escape through the plane's emergency door. Despite the horrific crash, he walked away from the wreckage and later spoke about his miraculous survival from his hospital bed.

What was the survivor's reaction when he realized he was alive?

The survivor expressed disbelief, stating that he didn't know how he survived. He thought he was also going to die but, upon regaining consciousness, realized he was alive and tried to escape the wreckage.

What role does the black box and flight data recorder play in the investigation?

The black box, which has been recovered, and the flight data recorder are crucial pieces of evidence. They will help investigators analyze the aircraft's performance, communication in the cockpit, and data on the plane’s systems, which may reveal the cause of the crash.

What are some potential causes of the crash being considered by investigators?

Investigators are considering several potential causes, including a bird strike, double engine failure, and failure to deploy the flaps. The possibility of mechanical issues is also being examined.

How significant is the survivor's position in the plane for the investigation?

The survivor was seated in 11A, a location directly above the wing spar. Aviation expert David Susi believes that this positioning could have played a significant role in his survival, as the wing spar is the heaviest part of the airplane, potentially absorbing much of the impact during the crash.

Why was the deployment of flaps mentioned as a critical point in the investigation?

The flaps are important for controlling the plane's lift during takeoff. Investigators noticed that the flaps didn’t appear to be deployed, which is not typical for takeoff. The proper functioning of flaps is a point of focus as their failure could have contributed to the crash.

What is Boeing's role in the investigation, and how are they involved?

Boeing is cooperating fully with the investigation. The company has people on-site to assist in analyzing the data from the flight data recorder. They are providing insights into the aircraft's design and performance, which will help investigators compare normal operating conditions with what happened during this flight.

What safety measures have been implemented after the crash?

In response to the crash, India’s aviation regulator has ordered Air India to conduct safety inspections on all Boeing 787 Dreamliners in their fleet. This is a standard procedure following such an incident to ensure the safety of the aircraft and prevent similar accidents in the future.

What challenges are investigators facing in determining the cause of the crash?

Investigators are still piecing together the events leading up to the crash, relying on data from the flight data recorder, black box, and cockpit voice recorder. The challenge lies in interpreting thousands of data points and determining the exact sequence of failures or issues that led to the disaster.