Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, sole survivor of the Air India crash, described his survival as a “miracle” after the tragic incident that claimed the lives of 241 people on the plan, including his brother. Ramesh participated in laying his brother to rest this past week, according to CNN.

The June 12 flight, bound for London, crashed into a BJ Medical College hostel shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. Experts suggest that a combination of control and luck could have contributed to Ramesh’s survival. According to a New York Times report, the plane appeared to be in a controlled descent rather than a nose-dive, which could have reduced the impact force.

The jet struck a building at a flatter angle, potentially creating survivable pockets. Ramesh, a British man, might have been in one of these pockets, seat belted, away from fire, and quickly rescued.

At least 29 others on the ground, including five medical students at the campus in Meghani Nagar, were also killed. Many believe that the death toll would have been higher if it had not been for the intervention of the trainee doctors and students who emerged from a smoldering building and rushed to save their colleagues.

Medical college dean Minakshi Parikh said many of the doctors who pulled their colleagues out of the debris, later that day went back to their duties to save as many lives as they could, according to the Associated Press. “When our own people are injured, our first response is to help them,” Parikh said.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing. The Associated Press reported that investigators are analyzing the black boxes, examining flight data and cockpit audio to determine the cause of the crash, especially after a mayday call was issued just before the incident. Reuters noted that India has yet to decide where the black boxes will be analyzed, with the United States and United Kingdom as potential options, as officials assess the damage to the recorders.

In response to the crash, Air India announced a 15% reduction in its international flights to maintain stability, improve efficiency and reduce passenger inconvenience. Middle East tensions between Iran and Israel are also influencing the cancellations.

Additionally, Air India has been warned by India’s aviation regulator for safety violations unrelated to the crash. Reuters reported that the airline was cautioned after planes flew with overdue emergency checks, which experts warn could risk passenger safety. The regulator described it as a “systemic control failure.”

Recent aviation incidents have iaffected public perception of flying safety. A March poll by TPG and The Harris Poll found that while 72% of Americans believe flying is safe, nearly two-thirds feel more nervous following recent crashes, and nearly nine in 10 admit to some fear of flying.

“More than half of those surveyed are also making alternative travel arrangements. If folks really do change their flying patterns, that’s a big deal and could impact the aviation industry financially,” the poll said.

In the U.S., 67 people lost their lives in January when an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with American Eagle Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, as the plane’s pilots were preparing to land at Reagan National Airport just outside of Washington, D.C.

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