16.06.2025 11:10
In the tragic plane crash in India, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner passenger aircraft belonging to Air India lost engine power shortly after takeoff. Thanks to the pilot's attempt to change direction and land in an empty meadow at the moment of the crash, many people survived. Out of 242 people on board, only one person survived.
In the tragic plane crash in India, dozens of people were saved from death thanks to the change in direction the plane made just seconds before it fell. Local residents declared Captain Sumeet Sabharwal a "hero."
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner passenger plane belonging to Air India lost engine power shortly after takeoff. As the plane was about to crash directly onto residential buildings, the captain managed to steer the aircraft and attempted to land it in an empty meadow. At that moment, there were a total of 242 passengers and crew on board.
When the plane crashed to the ground, approximately 90 tons of fuel on board exploded, causing a large fire at the crash site. The plane completely destroyed the upper floors of an unused military building.
However, the real tragedy occurred at a nearby medical school. The fire from the area where the plane crashed spread to the faculty dormitory. Many students and staff who were having lunch at that time lost their lives.
Only one person out of the 242 on the plane survived.
The 55-year-old pilot Sumeet Sabharwal was the son of a civil servant who had worked at the Indian Civil Aviation Authority and had 8,200 hours of flight experience. It was noted that the captain, who called his sick father before the flight to say he was fine, was devoted to his family and had a calm demeanor.
Geeta Patni, a 48-year-old resident living very close to the crash site, said:
"The building shook, there were explosions, and when we ran out into the street, everything was on fire. If the plane had come down just a few meters closer, we all could have died. We were saved thanks to the pilot."
Another local resident, 28-year-old Jahanvi Rajput, said:
"Captain Sabharwal saved our lives. A true hero. He noticed the meadow and directed the plane there."
Chancal Bai, a mother of two, said:
"If the plane had hit the residences, hundreds of people could have lost their lives."
After the accident, all the bodies were recovered, but so far only 32 identities have been confirmed. The plane's engine will be sent to America for analysis. British and American experts have also participated in the efforts alongside Indian teams.