THE death-cheating Brit sole survivor of the Air India disaster has revealed a clue that something was wrong just moments before the crash.
Vishwash Ramesh, 40, mentioned that the cabin lights started flickering right before the aircraft descended, a detail that could be crucial in unraveling the mystery of the disaster.
Reflecting on the moments leading up to the incident, Vishwash, from Leicester, described: “As the flight took off, within five to ten seconds, it felt like it was suspended in the air.”
“Suddenly, the lights started flickering – green and white.
“The aircraft wasn’t gaining altitude and was just gliding before it suddenly slammed into a building and exploded.”
Vishwash’s observation about the flickering lights comes after another passenger, who flew on the plane the day preceding the crash, reported that electrical components such as the back-of-seat screens were malfunctioning.
Aviation experts have speculated that the reports of dodgy electrics could be a sign of a power failure, possibly explaining the crash.
Air India is keeping an open mind as to what went wrong and caused the deaths of 52 Brits.
Theories being considered include issues with the engine thrust, flaps and landing gear – as well as a bird strike and a pilot error.
And the Indian government’s investigation is also considering whether Air India was at fault in any way.
India’s aviation regulator had recently ordered the airline to safety check its entire Boeing 787 fleet.
Vishwash is the only person who can provide an insider’s witness account of the moment – and previously said he has “no idea” how he survived.
He said: “I saw people dying in front of my eyes – the air hostesses, and two people I saw near me […] I walked out of the rubble.”
The lucky escapee speculated: “I think the side I was on was not facing the hostel. I don’t know about others.”
Other analysts have suggested he managed to escape thanks to a flying piece of fuselage – which was caught soaring through the air on video.
Vishwash’s seat was 11A, right next to the emergency door, which is understood to have blown off when the plane struck the building and then exploded.
In the unbelievable footage, a tiny object is seen flying away for a split second – right before the jet is engulfed in flames.
Investigators continue to analyse the footage and search for the mystery piece of debris as they try to find out what caused the horror crash.
Recalling the moment of disbelief when he found himself alive, Vishwash said: “At first, I thought I was dead. Later, I realised I was still alive and saw an opening in the fuselage.
“I managed to unbuckle myself, used my leg to push through that opening and crawled out.”
“When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me.
“Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”
Vishwash that the plane caught fire before he fought through the rubble – and then exploded when he was just out of harm’s way.
Footage shows Vishwash, staggering and caked in blood with locals helping him an ambulance.
Speaking in Hindi, he says: “I just got out of the plane, it exploded.”
From there he was rushed to hospital, and has since heaped praise on the medical staff treating him.
He said: “My treatment is going well, and the people are very supportive.”
Vishwash’s brother Ajay was onboard the plane and died.
