Ahmedabad, India – Reports confirm that an Air India flight carrying 242 passengers crashed in a residential area of Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad. Disturbing images show thick black smoke rising from the wreckage, with emergency teams rushing to the scene. Authorities have blocked all routes to the airport for security reasons.

While details on casualties remain unclear, this tragic incident raises an important question: Which airplane seats are the safest in a crash?

Fact Check: Are Rear Seats Really Safer?

Studies of past aviation disasters suggest that passengers seated at the rear of the plane have a higher survival rate. For example:

  • In a South Korea plane crash, the tail section was the only recognizable part left.

  • A Kazakhstan air disaster saw more survivors from the rear, as that area suffered less impact.

Research by Time Magazine, analyzing 35 years of crash data, found:

  • Rear seats: 28% fatality risk

  • Middle & front seats: Up to 44% fatality risk

Why Are Rear Seats Safer?

Most crashes impact the front of the plane first, leaving the tail section relatively intact. However, passengers often avoid rear seats due to:
✔ Less legroom
✔ Proximity to restrooms
✔ Emergency exits located nearby

Which Seats Are the Most Dangerous?

  • Middle seats (over the wings) – Higher risk due to fuel tank placement, increasing fire hazards.

  • Front seats – More vulnerable to direct impact.

Important Note:

Survival depends on multiple factors, including crash severity, pilot skill, and emergency response. No seat guarantees safety, but statistics favor the rear.