Teen Who Filmed Devastating Air India Plane Crash Shares His Story

An aviation enthusiast's video recording from Ahmedabad reveals the traumatic experience of witnessing the Air India crash firsthand.

Last Thursday marked a tragic day for 17-year-old Aryan Asari, who watched in horror as an Air India Dreamliner 787-8 plummeted to the ground from the terrace of his father’s home in Ahmedabad. The plane, which was departing the airport, burst into flames upon crashing, tragically killing all 241 passengers and crew members on board, in addition to nearly 30 people on the ground.

Aryan, who had previously relished spotting planes from the skies—an activity sparked by his enthusiasm for aviation—could not have anticipated that this specific sighting would forever scar his memories. "Every time I heard an airplane, I would run outside to get a glimpse," Aryan recounted to BBC Gujarati. However, the joy he once felt was shattered when he recorded the catastrophic moment on his phone.

As investigations unfold, Aryan's video has become crucial evidence for the authorities tasked with determining the crash's cause. However, the aftermath has been intensely overwhelming for him and his family. His father, Maganbhai Asari, reported receiving an influx of media requests seeking interviews with his son, which added to Aryan's trauma. "My son is terrified and doesn't want to use his phone anymore," he disclosed anxiously.

Having moved to Ahmedabad for work, Mr. Asari had just welcomed Aryan and his sister to the city. During that fateful visit, Aryan and his sister made plans to take advantage of the bustling environment and shop for school supplies. On the day of the crash, the siblings enjoyed a family lunch before Aryan ventured to the terrace, excited to capture videos of aircraft.

As he recorded, Aryan noticed the plane's unsettling descent, describing it as "shaking, moving left and right." Unaware of the imminent disaster, he continued filming until smoke enveloped the area, prompting him to urgently call his father and express his fear. The frantic phone call revealed how deeply affected Aryan was. "He kept asking me what would happen to him," Mr. Asari added, highlighting his son's profound distress.

After sending the video to a few friends, Aryan unwittingly spread the harrowing footage that circulated rapidly through social media, thrusting him into the public eye. Over the following days, their home became a hub of media activity, causing further anxiety for the family. The disturbances were compounded when the police summoned Aryan to answer questions regarding the crash, contrary to reports of his detention.

In response to the overwhelming situation, Mr. Asari ultimately decided to send Aryan back to their ancestral village to provide him with a sense of normalcy. While Aryan has returned to school, the trauma of his experience lingers, as even the sound of a ringing phone sends him into a panic. "I believe he will heal with time, but I doubt he will ever look at planes the same way again," Mr. Asari concluded poignantly.