Fact-Check: No, Akash Vatsa Was Not on the Crashed Air India Flight AI171 — Here’s What Really Happened

Following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, a viral claim emerged online from entrepreneur Akash Vatsa, who suggested he had flown on the same aircraft just hours before the incident. His post sparked intense attention, drawing millions of views and raising fresh concerns over the safety of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner fleet.

Watch the video:

But here’s the truth: Akash Vatsa did not fly on the ill-fated AI171.

What Akash Claimed

In a widely circulated post on X (formerly Twitter), Vatsa wrote:

“I was in the same damn flight 2 hours before it took off from AMD. I came in this from DEL-AMD. Noticed unusual things in the plane. Made a video to tweet to @airindia. I would want to give more details.”

He included video clips showing discomfort inside the aircraft, including malfunctioning air conditioning, faulty in-flight screens, and poor lighting. Passengers were visibly fanning themselves due to heat.

His post quickly went viral, garnering more than 4 million views in just under two hours,  with many users assuming he had been on the same aircraft that tragically went down later that day, killing 241 of the 242 people on board.

What Actually Happened

After fact-checking and public scrutiny, Akash himself released his boarding pass, confirming that he had flown on Air India Flight AI423, not AI171. His flight had landed in Ahmedabad earlier the same day, but was a completely different aircraft.

While both flights were Boeing 787 Dreamliners and arrived at or departed from the same airport (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad), there is no evidence suggesting the plane he flew on was the same one that crashed.

Why the Confusion Matters

The timing of Vatsa’s flight and the similarity of aircraft models led to widespread online speculation, further fueled by the shocking condition of the plane shown in his footage. Many interpreted his post to mean the aircraft had mechanical issues before the crash — a potentially explosive claim amid ongoing investigations.

However, aviation experts have warned against premature conclusions. While Vatsa’s experience may point to maintenance lapses on Air India’s fleet generally, there is no proven link between his flight (AI423) and the crashed plane (AI171).

Growing Scrutiny of Air India

The tragic crash has intensified scrutiny on Air India’s operational and safety standards. The airline has yet to release detailed information about the cause of the crash, but early reports suggest a possible loss of engine power. Meanwhile, Boeing has said it is working with relevant authorities to understand what went wrong.

Bottom Line

Akash Vatsa flew on a different Air India Dreamliner the same day of the crash, not on the ill-fated Flight AI171. While his video raises real questions about in-flight conditions, claims linking him to the crash aircraft have been debunked by flight records and his own clarification.

As investigations continue, the public is urged to await official updates rather than rely on viral claims.

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