The tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, shook the world. While families mourn the heartbreaking loss of more than 270 lives, a British man named Owen Jackson narrowly escaped death, thanks to a last-minute change in travel plans. What makes his story even more haunting is that he was originally assigned seat 11A, the exact seat later occupied by the sole survivor of the ill-fated flight.
A Day of National Grief: The AI171 Tragedy
June 12, 2025, will be remembered as one of the darkest days in aviation history. Air India flight AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The Boeing aircraft lost control at an altitude of 625 feet and crashed into a building near the airport just moments after departure. Despite the pilot sending a May Day call, the flight had already collided with the roof of a nearby medical college’s hostel by the time the control tower could respond.
The crash led to the deaths of 241 people onboard, along with several others on the ground, bringing the total number of casualties to over 270. In the middle of this catastrophe, stories of fate, loss, and miraculous escapes began to emerge — one of which belongs to Owen Jackson.
Who Is Owen Jackson?
Owen Jackson, a 31-year-old father from Saffron Walden, Essex, had been on a work trip to India. Like many others, he was preparing to return home to his wife and family. Originally, he planned to fly on June 12, the very day the crash occurred.
However, his colleague suggested staying back for two more days to finish an ongoing work assignment. Owen agreed, rescheduling his flight to June 14, unknowingly stepping away from what could have been a fatal end to his life.
The Chilling Coincidence: Seat 11A
What makes Owen’s story even more eerie is the discovery that his rescheduled ticket for June 14 placed him in seat 11A — the same seat that, on June 12, belonged to the only known survivor of the AI171 crash.
The twist caught the attention of media and social media alike. Was it fate? Was it divine intervention? Owen himself described the incident as “a weird coincidence” — one that has changed the way he views life and chance forever.
Owen Jackson Speaks Out: “I’m Just Grateful”
In a conversation with The Sun, Owen Jackson opened up about how close he came to being on the ill-fated flight:
“It’s a shock. I’m more grateful than anything else — it is such a weird coincidence. You hear it now and again about planes going down, but when it’s the actual aircraft you’re potentially getting on two days later, it really makes you think.”
Owen also shared that he hadn’t informed his wife, Phillipa, about his exact travel date. She spent hours in panic after hearing about the crash before he contacted her to confirm he was safe.
“My main emotion on the whole thing is just gratitude. I made that decision at the right time, and I’ll never forget it.”
Flight AI171: What Happened That Day?
The Air India AI171 flight was scheduled to fly from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick at around 1:25 PM IST. The plane took off but lost altitude rapidly and crashed into a nearby structure — a tragic event that happened less than 60 seconds after takeoff.
Authorities reported:
-
241 onboard deaths, including passengers and crew.
-
Several casualties on the ground, including medical students and residents.
-
A single known survivor, miraculously seated in 11A.
Investigations are ongoing to determine whether mechanical failure, human error, or external factors caused the crash. The black box has been recovered, and preliminary findings are awaited.
A Story That Reminds Us of the Fragility of Life
Owen Jackson’s story has gone viral not just because of his near-death experience, but because it’s a reminder of how unpredictable life can be. A simple decision — to delay a flight — became a life-saving moment.
It’s also a story of emotional complexity. Owen shared that he feels conflicted, especially after learning how many people lost their lives in the crash he narrowly missed:
“There’s some guilt that creeps in, but more than anything, there’s deep sorrow and appreciation for being alive.”
Conclusion
The Air India AI171 crash remains a tragic chapter in aviation history, but stories like Owen Jackson’s highlight the strange twists of fate that sometimes unfold in the most unimaginable ways. For one British father, a delayed return home meant he was given another chance at life — a chance many others tragically didn’t get.
As investigations continue and families mourn, the world will remember AI171 not only for the lives lost but also for the haunting stories that emerged in its aftermath.
FAQs
Q1. Who is Owen Jackson?
Owen Jackson is a 31-year-old father from Essex, UK, who narrowly avoided the Air India AI171 crash due to a last-minute work delay.
Q2. What was unusual about Owen’s ticket?
Owen was originally scheduled to fly on June 12 on AI171 and had booked seat 11A, which ended up being the seat of the only known survivor of the crash.
Q3. How did the AI171 crash happen?
The aircraft lost control shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad and crashed into a nearby hostel building, resulting in over 270 deaths.
Q4. When did the Air India AI171 crash occur?
The crash happened at around 1:30 PM IST on June 12, 2025.
Q5. What is the current status of the investigation?
The black box has been recovered, and authorities are examining flight data to determine the exact cause of the crash.