Teen Witness to Air India Crash Shares His Terrifying Experience

Aryan Asari, a 17-year-old high school student, has found himself at the center of one of India’s most tragic aviation disasters after he captured the horrifying moment an Air India Dreamliner 787-8 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. The incident, which resulted in the deaths of 241 people onboard and nearly 30 more on the ground, has left Aryan deeply traumatized.

For Aryan, spotting airplanes was a beloved pastime. His father, Maganbhai Asari, recalls how his son would rush outside whenever he heard an aircraft overhead, fascinated by the roar of the engines. However, following the crash last Thursday, the sound of planes now fills him with dread.

On that fateful day, Aryan was on the terrace of his father’s home in Ahmedabad, taking videos of planes as they flew by. It was during this time that he noticed the Air India flight, which appeared to be struggling. "I saw the plane. It was going down and down. Then it wobbled and crashed right before my eyes," he recounted in an interview with BBC Gujarati.

The video Aryan recorded has become an essential piece of evidence for investigators looking into the cause of the crash, drawing significant media attention and overwhelming the young filmmaker with interview requests. His father described the situation as "devastating," noting that Aryan has been so affected by the incident that he has stopped using his phone.

Maganbhai Asari, a retired army serviceman now working with the local metro service, moved to Ahmedabad recently, providing his family with a clearer view of the skies. Aryan and his sister had traveled to the city to accompany their father while his sister prepared for a police entrance exam. Just before the crash, the siblings shared a lunch together, unaware of the horror that was about to unfold.

After witnessing the plane's descent, Aryan sent the footage to his father, who was at work. "I saw it, papa, I saw it crash," Aryan exclaimed over the phone, his voice filled with fear. Mr. Asari attempted to comfort his son, advising him to stay calm, but Aryan's terror was palpable.

Despite his father's request not to share the video further, Aryan sent it to a few friends, leading to it being widely circulated. In the days following the crash, the Asari family experienced a constant influx of reporters and neighbors seeking to speak with Aryan, making their lives unbearable.

Police also arrived to take Aryan's statement, clarifying that he was not detained but questioned about his experience. Given the emotional toll on the teenager, the family decided it would be best for Aryan to return to their village for some time.

Back at home, Aryan has resumed school, yet he remains shaken. According to his father, the sound of his phone ringing now sends him into a panic. "I know he will recover with time, but I doubt he will ever look for airplanes in the sky again," Mr. Asari reflected.

This tragic event has not only impacted those directly involved but has also highlighted the fragility of life and the profound effects of trauma on young minds.