Demand for seat 11A on commercial flights has skyrocketed after British man sitting at that number was the only survivor in a deadly plane crash in India that killed 241 passengers, and dozens more on the ground. Vishwash Ramesh, 40, somehow emerged alive from the wreckage of Air India flight AI171 which came down in a residential area moments into its flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick.
Vishwash was travelling with his brother Ajay back to Leicester after visiting the subcontinent. Tragically, his brother died in the crash, but Vishwash survived, scrambling out through a hole in the twisted fuselage following the impact. Anil Punjabi of the Travel Agents Federation of India told The Economic Times: “Even when 11A isn’t next to an emergency exit, passengers are asking for it.”
“It’s about belief, comfort, and peace of mind,” he added.
Flight safety experts were astonished that anyone managed to survive the crash.
Rajesh Bhagnani, a frequent flyer from Kolkata told the outlet: “I want seat 11A, or whichever seat is by the emergency exit. After watching Viswashkumar’s great escape, I feel that seat gives me a better shot at survival.”
His sentiment was echoed by another flier, businessman Jitender Singh Bagga, who said of his upcoming trip to the US: “I’m willing to fork out any extra amount for it”.
Aviation experts were astounded that Vishwash survived the crash, and was able to walk away from the wreckage of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner moments later.
One theory is that the area of the plane where his seat was may have provided some extra protection.
Professor Edwin Galea – a director of the Fire Safety Engineering Group (FSEG) at the University of Greenwich – told The Telegraph: “The physically strongest part of the aircraft is the part of the fuselage where the wings are, called the wing box.
“It’s where the wings joined to the fuselage. That’s the strongest part of the aircraft because there’s the most structure there,” he added.
“And I believe seat 11A is just at the front of that very strong part of the aircraft. That may have been a factor again.”
Others have suggested being in an over-wing seat may have helped save his life.
Investigators are sifting through the wreckage examining cockpit voice and flight data recorders of the jet to find out exactly what happened.
Air India chairman N. Chandrasekaran “We will do everything to support” the families of those killed and injured, but urged people against “speculations” about what happened, insisting the plane in question “has a clean history”.
Speaking to The Economic Times in an interview published yesterday, he said it could take a month to get preliminary results from the probe.
Boeing President and chief executive Kelly Ortberg said, “Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad.
“I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau,” she added.