Following the information of lone survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh of the current Air India Flight AI 171 aircraft catastrophe, experiences about actor-singer Ruangsak Loychusak, a survivor of the 1998 Thai Airways crash began doing the rounds — with one factor frequent: they have been seated in the identical seat quantity: 11A. The Air India crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, claimed 241 lives. Vishwash, who was thrown from the plane whereas seated subsequent to the emergency exit, has shared in a number of interviews that he miraculously survived and walked away from the wreckage. So, was it a coincidence or is 11A the ‘most secure’ seat on a aircraft? Since speculations have been rife, we determined to succeed in out to an knowledgeable to grasp whether or not this declare has any reality.
Dhairyashil Vandekar, an aviation knowledgeable and analyst, stated that the notion of a single “most secure seat” on a passenger plane, viz. 11A is extra fable than reality. “Whereas sure seat numbers could coincidentally match these of survivors in some crashes, there is no such thing as a conclusive proof to help the concept that any specific seat or row is inherently safer than others,” stated Vandekar.
Based on him, passengers’ security is influenced by a posh array of things, together with the kind of affect, hearth and smoke, availability of evacuation routes, structural integrity on the level of collision, terrain or place of crash like sea, land, or mountains, and the response of passengers, crew, and first responders. “These variables can work together in unpredictable methods, making it inconceivable to pinpoint a single seat because the most secure,” stated Vandekar.
Ahmedabad: On this video seize by way of PMO, Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of yesterday’s Air India aircraft crash, at a hospital in Ahmedabad (PMO by way of PTI Photograph)
Moreover, seating layouts differ considerably between plane varieties, making evaluating seat positions throughout totally different planes difficult. “Even when some seat numbers could also be frequent, their journey class and place on the plane can differ drastically relying on the plane sort,” stated Vandekar.
The knowledgeable suggested that somewhat than specializing in a particular seat quantity, passengers can take proactive steps to boost their security throughout a flight. “Guaranteeing situational consciousness, being attentive to security directions and demonstrations, and being conversant in emergency procedures will make a big distinction in an emergency,” Vandekar famous.
Thai singer Ruangsak Loychusak claims he survived a crash in 1988 by sitting on 11A (Picture supply: @jamesruangsak.co.th/Instagram)
He additionally said that passengers can take sensible steps throughout a flight, resembling figuring out the closest exits, realizing function seatbelts and life vests simply, and responding rapidly and calmly in an emergency. “Moreover, sporting wise clothes and footwear and avoiding artificial fibers can help mobility throughout an evacuation,” stated Vandekar.
In the end, it’s important to grasp that security is a collective duty that requires passengers’ and crew’s consideration and cooperation. “By prioritising security consciousness and preparedness, passengers can maximise their possibilities of survival within the unlikely occasion of an emergency,” stated Vandekar.
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DISCLAIMER: This text relies on info from the general public area and/or the consultants we spoke to.