New Perspectives on the Air India Crash: A Teen's Haunting Experience

The 17-year-old who filmed the catastrophic Air India plane crash shares his traumatic experience. His capturing of the event serves as critical evidence for investigators amidst a media frenzy, profoundly affecting his life and leaving him terrified of planes.

Aryan Asari, a high school student in Ahmedabad, has spent his teen years fascinated by planes. But everything changed last Thursday when he unwittingly recorded a devastating aviation disaster. The 17-year-old had set up his camera on the terrace of his father Maganbhai Asari's house when an Air India Dreamliner 787-8 crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 241 passengers and nearly 30 individuals on the ground.

"Whenever I heard the sound of an airplane, I would rush outside," Aryan told BBC Gujarati. His passion for planes has now turned into a source of trauma. Aryan’s video, which captured the plane wobbling and going down, has become critical evidence for investigators trying to determine what went wrong.

The heart-wrenching moment that unfolded before Aryan’s eyes has not only made headlines but has also thrust him into an unwanted spotlight. "We’ve received countless requests from journalists wanting to interview him," said his father, who is a retired soldier. The incident has left Aryan deeply shaken, leading him to avoid using his phone out of fear.

Until moving to Ahmedabad to support his daughter during her entrance exams, Aryan had not traveled from their ancestral village near the Gujarat-Rajasthan border. His fascination with planes had never been as intense as during this trip, which took a catastrophic turn.

The siblings had just arrived at their father's home when the tragedy occurred. Following lunch, Aryan recorded videos for his friends when he noticed something unusual about the aircraft. "It was shaking," Aryan recalled, capturing the last moments of the plane's descent before it exploded into flames as it crashed into the Meghaninagar residential area.

After witnessing the crash, Aryan informed his father with panic in his voice, "I saw it crash, papa!" As panic ensued, Mr. Asari advised his son to stay composed and later requested him not to share the video further. However, shaken and overwhelmed, Aryan sent it to a few friends, leading to its rapid circulation on social media.

In the subsequent days, the family's home became a hub for reporters seeking Aryan's account. “We were unable to keep them away,” his father lamented. The police also questioned Aryan to gather eyewitness statements, clarifying that he was not detained but was in fact a key witness.

Recognizing Aryan's struggle, the family decided it was best to return to their village to help him recuperate from the traumatic experience. While he has resumed his schooling, his love for airplanes appears crushed. Mr. Asari reflects, "He gets scared whenever his phone rings.” Despite believing that Aryan will heal over time, he acknowledges that his son may never look to the skies with joy again.

Additional reporting by Roxy Gagdekar, BBC Gujarati, in Ahmedabad. For ongoing updates, follow BBC News India on social media platforms.