The pilot of the crashed Air India flight may have made a heroic last effort to minimize casualties, experts suggest. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killed 270 people—including dad-of-two Arjun Patoliya, who was traveling to scatter his late wife’s ashes. His two young daughters are now orphaned. Despite the tragedy, some believe the pilot deliberately avoided crashing into the densely populated Civil Hospital Ahmedabad, which houses over 3,000 patients, or the nearby high-density residential area of Asarva.

Reddit users noted the crash site was relatively less populated, sparing more lives. The pilots, both highly experienced, may have steered the failing plane away from major hazards. The black box has been recovered, which could reveal the cause of the crash. Until then, theories about the pilots’ final actions remain speculation, but their potential sacrifice has sparked admiration. Authorities hope the investigation will provide clarity on this devastating incident.