10-Minute Traffic Delay Saves Woman from Air India Crash
AIR INDIA PLANE CRASH — A woman named Bhoomi Chauhan from Bharuch, Gujarat, narrowly avoided tragedy when she missed Air India flight 171 — a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday, killing 241 passengers and crew. The flight, which was headed to London, carried 242 people, including 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, one Canadian, and 12 crew members. Only one passenger miraculously survived.
Chauhan explained that she and her family arrived at Ahmedabad International Airport just 10 minutes late due to heavy traffic in the city. Despite their requests, airport staff did not allow them to board, stating that allowing them would delay the flight further. After leaving the airport, they received the devastating news about the crash. Chauhan said she was completely numb upon hearing what had happened and expressed her gratitude to the Mother Goddess for keeping her safe, though she found the incident terrifying.
Her mother credited her daughter’s survival to the blessings of the Mother Goddess, believing that divine intervention had protected her. Meanwhile, her father explained that traffic congestion had caused the delay, making them arrive too late for check-in.
Following the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site in Ahmedabad the next day to assess the situation. He was joined by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and other officials. Modi also visited Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to meet with survivors.
The flight was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had over 8,200 flight hours, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours. Air Traffic Control confirmed that the plane took off from runway 23 at 1:39 p.m. local time. The crew made a Mayday call before losing all contact.
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal investigation. The government is also forming a high-level committee to review the incident and strengthen aviation safety to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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