The Miracle of Seat 11A: Two Survivors, 27 Years Apart, One Eerie Connection

LUCKNOW In a spine-chilling coincidence that has captured global attention, a Thai actor-singer who miraculously survived a plane crash 27 years ago has discovered that the sole survivor of the recent Air India crash was seated in the exact same seat—11A.

On December 11, 1998, 20-year-old Ruangsak Loychusak, then an emerging Thai pop star, was one of just 45 survivors aboard Thai Airways Flight TG261, which crashed while attempting to land during a heavy storm in the southern province of Surat Thani. The aircraft stalled and plummeted into a swamp, killing 101 of the 146 people on board. Ruangsak, now 47, was seated in seat 11A, positioned near an emergency exit. His survival, at the time, was considered nothing short of a miracle.

Fast forward to June 2025, and another astonishing survival story has unfolded. Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing Dreamliner with 242 passengers, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad. Everyone on board was presumed dead—except Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 29-year-old British national of Indian origin, who not only lived through the crash but was able to walk away from the mangled wreckage. The miracle? He too was seated in seat 11A.

When Ruangsak learned about this tragic but mystifying coincidence, he was overcome with emotion. In a Facebook post written in Thai, he expressed his astonishment, writing: “Survivor of a plane crash in India. He sat in the same seat as me. 11A.”

Though Ruangsak no longer possesses his boarding pass from 1998, multiple Thai news reports from the time confirm that he was indeed seated in 11A. He has spoken publicly over the years about the survivor’s guilt and trauma that followed the crash, admitting that he refrained from flying for nearly a decade. The experience profoundly changed his life. “I call it my second life,” he has often said in interviews, having since dedicated himself to philanthropy and mental health advocacy.

The eerie parallel between the two crashes has sparked international intrigue and a wave of speculation. Aviation experts, while cautious about reading too much into numerical coincidences, acknowledge that the seat’s proximity to the emergency exit may have played a role in both survivals.

Ramesh’s survival story has been widely covered in Indian and international media. According to preliminary investigations, the plane experienced catastrophic engine failure minutes after takeoff. The aircraft lost altitude rapidly before crashing into an open field just outside Ahmedabad city limits. Ramesh, thrown partially clear of the wreckage, sustained multiple injuries but remained conscious and was able to unbuckle himself and crawl to safety before help arrived. Speaking to DD News from his hospital bed, Ramesh said, “For a moment, I thought I was going to die. When I opened my eyes and realised I was still alive, I knew I had to get out fast.”

Emergency responders found him about 150 metres away from the main wreckage, already being assisted by a local farmer who had rushed to the scene after hearing the explosion.

As the investigation into the Air India disaster continues, the focus on seat 11A has intensified. Social media users have dubbed it the “miracle seat”, with thousands sharing posts about its strange legacy. Some are even requesting 11A specifically when booking flights—prompted more by curiosity than superstition.

Aviation safety specialists, however, caution against reading too much into anecdotal survivorship patterns. “Survivability in crashes is influenced by multiple factors including the point of impact, type of crash, seat design, and proximity to exits,” said Dr. Ravi Choudhary, a senior aviation analyst. “While 11A might appear lucky in these two cases, it’s more likely coincidence than fate.”

Still, for Ruangsak, the uncanny parallel has reawakened memories long buried. In a heartfelt follow-up post, he wrote, “To survive something so horrifying changes you forever. I wish strength and healing to Ramesh. May he find peace, and may the families of the victims find comfort.”

As the world continues to mourn the victims of AI171, the remarkable tale of two men, two crashes, and one seat serves as both a symbol of fate’s cruelty and its strange mercy.