Subhechcha Ganguly 
Akash Vatsa, a passenger who flew on the same Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner just hours before it crashed in Ahmedabad, has gone viral on social media after revealing unusual observations about the aircraft. The tragic crash, which claimed over 260 lives and is being called one of India’s worst aviation disasters in recent years, occurred shortly after the plane took off for London.
Vatsa had boarded the Dreamliner for its earlier leg from Delhi to Ahmedabad. While the flight initially seemed routine, he later posted on social media that he had noticed something odd mid-air. Speaking to ANI, he said, “At cruising altitude, I observed the rear part of the flaps moving up and down repeatedly. I’m not an aviation expert, but someone from the field might find this significant.”
He also mentioned that the air conditioning wasn’t functioning properly while the plane was still on the ground in Delhi. Vatsa has urged authorities to reach out to him so he can share his full observations.
Though his claims have drawn significant public attention, officials have not yet confirmed any link between his experience and the crash. The exact cause of the accident will be determined following a thorough investigation.
The ill-fated flight crashed into a medical college complex in Ahmedabad and exploded into flames less than a minute after takeoff. Of the 241 people onboard, only one has survived and is currently under medical observation. Several people on the ground were also killed in the blaze.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has initiated a detailed probe, with over 40 Gujarat State officials working alongside the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site on Friday and later met with the injured at the Ahmedabad civic hospital.
