Two men. Two crashes. Twenty-seven years apart. Both seated in 11A. In a story that spans continents and decades, Ruangsak Loychusak of Thailand and Ramesh Viswashkumar of India miraculously survived fatal airline disasters—while sitting in the same seat number.
1998: Thai Actor Survives Deadly Crash in Seat 11A
On December 11, 1998, Thai Airways Flight TG261 crashed during landing at Surat Thani Airport in Thailand. The aircraft, a domestic flight, went down in heavy rain and poor visibility, killing 101 of the 146 people onboard.
One of the survivors was 20-year-old Ruangsak Loychusak, a Thai actor and singer who was seated in seat 11A. The crash was later attributed to pilot error and spatial disorientation during approach in stormy weather conditions.
Loychusak recalled being traumatized for years and avoided flying whenever possible. He described his life after the crash as a “second life” and has continued to reflect on that experience throughout his career.
2025: Indian Passenger Escapes Burning Plane from 11A
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India. The aircraft carried 242 people and crashed into a residential area. A total of 290+ people, including ground victims, lost their lives.
The only survivor was Ramesh Viswashkumar, a British national visiting India. He was also seated in seat 11A. According to India Today, he jumped from the emergency exit moments before the plane exploded in flames.
Ramesh Viswashkumar, The sole survivor of the Air India crash escaped by jumping from the plane. He was on seat number 11A. #AirIndia #AhmedabadNews #Gujarat #PlaneCrash #ITReel pic.twitter.com/NsMBeZOkbX
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) June 12, 2025
Two Survivors, One Seat, A Global Parallel
- Ruangsak Loychusak: Thai Airways TG261 survivor, 1998, Seat 11A
- Ramesh Viswashkumar: Sole survivor of Air India AI171, 2025, Seat 11A
- Both experienced mass-fatality crashes and escaped under extraordinary conditions
- Both described their survival as a new beginning or second life
How the Thai Airways Crash Happened in 1998
Thai Airways Flight TG261 departed Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok with 132 passengers and 14 crew, en route to Surat Thani. It was cleared for flight level 310 with an estimated flight time of 1 hour 55 minutes.
At 18:26 local time, the co-pilot contacted Surat Thani for approach. The plane was 70 nautical miles from the airport and was cleared for a VOR/DME approach to runway 22. Visibility was reported at 1,500 meters, with a cloud base at 1,800 feet and temperatures around 24°C.
Surat Thani Airport informed the crew that the right PAPI was not functional. After two failed landing attempts, worsening visibility (down to 1,000 meters) and slippery runway conditions prompted a third attempt.
During the go-around, the aircraft stalled at 48 degrees angle of attack and crashed into swampy ground near a flooded rubber plantation. Survivors described chaos, with passengers screaming and luggage flying through the cabin.
The aircraft exploded on impact. Many passengers drowned in waist-deep water; others crawled out of the wreckage. Rescue efforts were hindered by the swamp terrain. Most survivors were seated in the front section.
Over 400 military and police personnel joined the rescue. A makeshift morgue was set up at the airport. By December 12, 100 bodies were recovered. The lack of next-of-kin forms complicated victim identification.
In total, 101 people, including the pilots, died. Forty-five survived, including 12 foreigners and Thai actor Ruangsak Loychusak. Among the dead were high-profile figures such as the sister of Thailand’s transport minister and a Member of Parliament from Surat Thani.
📚 Source: Wikipedia
Coincidence or Fate?
Whether written off as coincidence or seen as something more profound, the case of seat 11A in two of the deadliest airline crashes has stirred conversation around the world. For both survivors, it’s not just a seat number—it’s a symbol of endurance, fate, and extraordinary survival.
📌 This report was compiled from official investigations, and media coverage from 1998–2025. Last updated: June 14, 2025 by Virginia Times Reporting Team.
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