How astrologer ‘predicted deadly Air India plane crash’

An Indian astrologer is drawing global attention after an unsettling prediction she made appeared to align with a catastrophic Air India plane crash that killed all 242 people onboard, including 53 British nationals.

Astro Sharmistha, who shares her forecasts on social media, posted a warning in 2024 about potential aviation disasters in the coming year. “Plane crash headlines may give us shock,” she wrote at the time, referring to 2025.

Just a week before the tragedy, on June 5, she reiterated her concerns, tweeting: “I am still holding high the prediction of [a] plane crash and destruction in aviation in 2025.”

On June 12, Air India Flight 171—a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick—crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad. The aircraft rapidly lost altitude, striking a building before erupting into flames.

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Online, users were quick to react to the astrologer’s resurfaced posts. “You have yet again proved your accuracy… I’m just left speechless,” one person commented. Another asked, “How can your prediction be so accurate always?”

Eyewitnesses described the horrifying aftermath. “We saw people jumping from the second and third floor to save themselves,” said one resident. Another reported, “Many of the bodies were burned.”

Preliminary investigations suggest the jet may have experienced engine trouble or other mechanical issues during the climb phase. Experts are considering possibilities such as a bird strike, abrupt wind changes, or an engine stall.

Video footage showed the aircraft descending with its landing gear still extended, moments before it burst into flames. Initial flight data indicated it had only reached an altitude of 625 feet—well below standard expectations.

Former military pilot Lt. Col. John Davidson speculated that “thrust or engine issues” or improper trim settings could be to blame. Aviation analysts also pointed out that the plane, which was 11 years old, was flown by an experienced captain with more than 8,000 hours in the cockpit.