Aviation consultant Gurmukh Singh Bawa calls survival of British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh ‘miraculous’; urges strict implementation of safety directives after devastating Air India crash
New Delhi, June 15:
The recent Air India flight AI171 crash, which claimed the lives of 241 passengers, has left the nation in mourning. Amid the wreckage, however, aviation expert and former General Manager of the Airports Authority of India, Gurmukh Singh Bawa, described the survival of a single passenger as a “miracle within a tragedy”.
The sole survivor, identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, is currently undergoing treatment after sustaining serious injuries. His survival from the devastating crash has stunned aviation professionals and sparked renewed urgency around passenger safety.
“This tragedy is a miracle within a tragedy. While it’s heartbreaking that so many lives were lost, the survival of even one person is nothing short of miraculous,” Bawa told ANI.
Bawa emphasized the critical need for reflection and reform, praising Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for their prompt response. He welcomed the recently issued safety directives and urged for their full and immediate implementation.
“The directives issued are commendable, and the drills mandated under these orders should be implemented with full seriousness. The preventive measures suggested are also a welcome step,” he said.
Industry-Wide Impact and Future Safety Measures
Speaking on the broader consequences, Bawa explained that the crash would have short- and long-term implications on India’s aviation sector.
“This incident will have far-reaching implications. Immediately, issues like insurance claims, operational disruptions, and reputational damage must be addressed. In the short term, market confidence, share prices, and financial performance of the airline could be affected.”
However, Bawa expressed cautious optimism that such tragedies often become turning points for industry reform.
“In the long run, this should lead to improved safety practices, which will help restore passenger confidence. It could even impact the cost of capital, as airlines that adhere to higher safety norms are seen as more stable by investors.”
Air India’s Compliance with DGCA Safety Inspections
In response to the crash, the DGCA has mandated safety checks across Air India’s Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliner fleet. On Saturday, the airline confirmed that nine of its 33 Dreamliners had already undergone inspections. The remaining aircraft are expected to be inspected within the regulator’s deadline.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), an Air India spokesperson said:
“As our 787 fleet returns to India, each aircraft is undergoing a thorough safety evaluation before being cleared for operations.”
Crash Details and Investigation
The tragic crash occurred when AI171, en route from Ahmedabad to London, rammed into the doctors’ hostel of BJ Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area of Ahmedabad seconds after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday morning.
The crash not only claimed 241 lives but also left the nation and aviation industry grappling with one of India’s worst air disasters in recent years. Investigations are ongoing, with black box recovery and flight data analysis underway to determine the exact cause of the crash.