In a chilling recount of one of India’s most devastating aviation disasters in recent memory, the lone survivor of the Air India Flight 472 crash has spoken about the harrowing moments leading up to—and following—the tragedy that claimed over 180 lives.
“The plane broke. My seat came off. I just remember falling… and then darkness.”
These were the words of 29-year-old Neha Sharma, the only person to emerge alive from the fiery wreckage after the Airbus A320 skidded off the runway at Kozhikode International Airport during heavy rains and broke apart while attempting a landing on May 21.
The Crash That Shook the Nation
Air India Flight 472 was en route from Dubai to Kozhikode, carrying 184 passengers and six crew members. As it approached the tabletop runway, poor visibility and strong tailwinds led to a failed landing attempt. The aircraft overshot the runway, plunged into a valley, and split into two on impact. Rescue operations were hampered by continuous rain, mangled debris, and fire hazards.
Amid the chaos, rescue workers discovered an unconscious woman nearly 100 feet away from the main fuselage—still strapped to her seat, bruised but breathing.
A Survivor’s Tale
In her first public appearance since the crash, Neha, now recovering in a Bengaluru hospital, recalled the final moments on the plane.
“There was turbulence, but nothing alarming. Then, a loud sound like an explosion, and suddenly the entire cabin felt like it was collapsing. The lights went out. I was clutching the armrests and then everything snapped. The seat just… detached.”
She believes her position in the rear section of the plane, combined with the break in the fuselage and a seatbelt that stayed intact, played a key role in her survival.
“I think the seat flew or slid away from the burning wreck. I must’ve blacked out after hitting the ground.”
Doctors say Neha sustained multiple fractures, a punctured lung, and severe bruising, but no spinal injuries—a near miracle, considering the force of the crash.
Air India, DGCA, and Government Response
In the days following the crash, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) launched a high-level investigation, citing possible pilot misjudgment and adverse weather conditions as contributing factors. Questions are also being raised about the safety of tabletop runways—those built on elevated terrains with little margin for error.
Air India has offered condolences to the families of the deceased and promised full cooperation with the probe. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has pledged a thorough safety audit of all airports with similar runway configurations.
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A Nation Watches, A Survivor Inspires
Neha Sharma’s survival has captivated the nation, not just as a story of luck, but of resilience. Social media platforms have flooded with support and admiration for the woman now dubbed “India’s Miracle Survivor.”
As Neha slowly regains her strength, she says her focus is on honoring the lives lost.
“It’s hard to process why I survived when so many didn’t. I want to live for them now—and make my life meaningful.”
Her words echo amid a national mourning, offering a flicker of hope and a call for accountability in ensuring air travel safety for every Indian.
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