10 Minute Delay Saves Woman From Air India Crash

On June 12, 2025, a tragic aviation disaster shook the nation when Air India Flight AI 171 crashed just moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.The flight carried 242 people to London, but only one person survived. In a miraculous twist, a 10 minute delay saves woman from Air India crash, as passenger Bhoomi Chauhan narrowly missed boarding the doomed plane due to heavy traffic.

Let us take you through the chronology of events, ongoing investigations, survivor testimony, and the primary safety concerns that have arisen in the wake of the crash.

Flight Overview and Timeline

• Flight Number: AI 171
• Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
• Route: London Heathrow (LHR) to Ahmedabad (AMD)
• Scheduled Takeoff: 1:10 PM IST
• Crash Time: Around 1:30 PM IST
• Crash Site: Meghaninagar area, near BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad

A couple of minutes into flight, the pilot radioed a “Mayday” call, announcing a full emergency. Within seconds, the aircraft crashed and hit a residential area, engulfed in flames. Witnesses said they witnessed huge billows of smoke rising upwards as wreckage rained across the neighborhood.

Casualties and a Miracle Survivor

Total on board passengers: 242

• 239 passengers
• 2 pilots
• 10 crew members

All of them died except one man: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British-Indian national. He was rescued from the wreckage with severe chest injuries and is now being given intensive care at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital.

“It all happened within a matter of seconds. There was a deafening bang and everything went black. I don’t know how I survived,”
— Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, sole survivor

Bhoomi Chauhan: The Woman Who Missed Death by 10 Minutes

While most of the stories were of tragedy from the crash, there was a miracle story. Bhoomi Chauhan, who lives in Bharuch, was supposed to be aboard. However, she was delayed by traffic congestion in Ahmedabad and reached the airport only ten minutes late.

“I was shocked that I was not allowed to board. But in a matter of minutes, I heard the plane had crashed. I was numb. My Ganpati ji saved me,”
— Bhoomi Chauhan

Her story soon went viral across the internet, with people calling her rescue a “divine intervention.”

Investigation: What Went Wrong?

Upon the crash, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation immediately held an inquiry. The flight data recorder and black box were retrieved by officials within hours and sent for interpretation.

Experts thus far suspect several likely explanations might have been to blame:

• Bird Strike: The reports suggest birds hitting the aircraft.
• Technical Malfunction: Officials are examining the maintenance record of the jet and its mechanical history.

“Seriously addressing it with high priority. We aim to ascertain the actual cause and ensure this never repeats again.”
— Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Civil Aviation Minister

Aftermath: Firefighting, Forensics, and Families

Fire-fighters battled the flames for over two hours, while rescue teams removed bodies from the rubble. Emergency services reached the site within minutes.

Hospitals, especially Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital, were choked. DNA tests are currently being conducted to establish the identity of the victims who were killed. The authorities have confirmed that most of the victims were charred beyond identification.

The central government has declared the following compensation schemes:

• ₹20 lakh to each family of the deceased passengers
• ₹5 lakh to the injured passengers
• Special relief to foreign nationals who have been victims of the tragedy

Safety Measures and Aircraft Grounding

As a direct consequence of the crash, Air India has canceled all Boeing 787 planes of the same production line. They won’t fly again until there is a full mechanical audit.

Meanwhile, several flights have been rescheduled or routed through other airports. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also enforced stricter safety norms for Dreamliner planes throughout the nation.

National and Global Reactions

World leaders expressed grief and sympathy. India’s Prime Minister announced:

“This is a black day for our nation. My sympathies to each grieving family. We will not spare any effort in the investigation.”

British and American aviation specialists have also provided technical expertise to analyze the flight data and reconstruct the final minutes leading to the crash.

What Happens Next?

The final report will be put out in detail by the DGCA in a few weeks. Meanwhile, the investigators will continue working:

• Analyzing black box and voice recorder data
• Proceeding with questioning of the Air Traffic Control personnel and the maintenance crew
• Conducting simulation tests to replicate the crash

The nation, and the global aviation sector, await answers and solutions.

Stay Informed

This is a developing story. For a detailed step-by-step breakdown of the incident, read the full chronology of the Air India AI 171 crash here.

We will continue to provide updates as new facts emerge. Bookmark this article or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about the investigation, survivor stories, safety reforms, and more.