Couple Killed in Air India Crash Previously Lost Pilot Son in Aviation Tragedy

A couple who died in the Air India crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday had previously lost their only son in a prior aviation disaster, a UK-based news agency has reported, quoting a temple leader based in London.

Rajrajeshwar Guruji that leads the Siddhashram Shakti Centre in Harrow, north-west London, said the couple were returning from a religious celebration in India when the flight crashed.

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He told PA Media that their son, a pilot, had been killed several years ago in a crash in France. The report did not name the couple or their son.

“This couple had gone to India for a religious celebration – they were coming back and now this has happened,” Rajrajeshwar said. “After what has happened to their son as well, it’s just terrible to think about.”

He also said that he personally knew 20 of the deceased in the crash and further he pointed out that all of them were members of the Hindu community and had worshipped at his temple over the years.

He said that most of those he knew who were onboard were people who were flying to visit elderly relatives in India or who were attending religious events, while others had adult children studying at university in the UK and were returning from extended visits.

“This is the most shocking news we have ever experienced in the temple’s 25-year history,” he told PA Media.

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Air India plane crash

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (AI171) with 230 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed into the complex of a medical college late Thursday afternoon. It took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.

One person survived the crash as 241 on board were killed were killed. There were 169 Indians, 53 British, one Canadian and seven Portuguese and 12 crew members on board among the total passengers from the plane.

Aviation experts told HT that the flight profile of the aircraft - which is descending with a nose-up attitude - may suggest, the aircraft suffered a "catastrophic and sudden" power loss. However, the experts cautioned that such a descent profile could be consistent with an engine failure, and it could not-be determined cause ofpower loss until later after investigation.

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