A psychic from the Philippines is making headlines after alleging she predicted last weekend’s crash of Air India Flight 171—sparking heated debate over whether it was true prophecy or coincidence.
Rudy Baldwin, a well-known psychic figure in the Philippines and online, published a Facebook message on June 9, three days before the June 12 crash. In a post written entirely in capital letters, she foretold “an aircraft in an accident,” followed by mention of “two in another country and also in an Asia country.” She cited forces of nature—specifically a “strike of strong lightning”—as the cause, and even hinted at the planes’ colors, writing one was “RED WITH WHITE WRITTEN ON IT,” another “YELLOW, BLUE, AND RED AND GREEN AND WHITE.” She concluded with a call to pray, insisting, “THIS WILL HAPPEN.”
When Air India Flight 171 tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London, killing over 200 and leaving only one survivor, Baldwin’s post quickly went viral. Supporters seized upon the parallels: the red-and-white livery, an Asian origin, and possible weather-related issues. These lines seemed to align uncannily with what may have transpired.
But critical voices were quick to respond. Baldwin’s comments were vague and broad — she made no mention of flight numbers, specific airports, or even the airline’s name. “General descriptions can fit many events,” one aviation analyst told reporters. “Cherry-picking after the fact creates the illusion of precision.”
Still, Baldwin’s post didn’t stop at one incident. She also predicted another aircraft “falling hard into the ocean,” as well as unspecified accidents in different countries. This drew attention as 2025 has already seen multiple aviation mishaps. There was a mid-air collision back in late January involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk over the Potomac River, resulting in over 60 deaths. And earlier in February, a Delta flight crash-landed in Toronto—fortunately with no fatalities but 21 injuries. Baldwin’s post implied more incidents were coming, fueling curiosity or concern among her followers.
Baldwin has previously gained notoriety for high-profile predictions. In past years, she claimed knowledge of events like the deaths of Kobe and Gianna Bryant, along with warnings of volcanic eruptions and disease outbreaks akin to monkeypox. Each time, skeptics dismiss her predictions as after-the-fact storytelling—pattern-seeking in hindsight, rather than genuine foresight.
Experts remain firm: accidental aviation disasters can almost always be traced to physical causes — mechanical failure, pilot error, weather, or infrastructural issues — not psychic visions. One aviation safety expert said, “Predictions are not part of accident investigations. Only facts and rigorous data matter.”
Nevertheless, Baldwin’s claim—and the way it resonated online—reveals a deeper fascination with mystery and media spectacle. From phone lines to Facebook feeds, we’re drawn to stories that tease at the edges of the unknown. Her vague yet location-specific wording gave fans just enough detail to latch onto a real-world tragedy.
For paying attention, Rudy Baldwin’s post earned both criticism and fascination. Believers praised what they call “prophetic accuracy,” while critics scoffed at what they see as confirmation bias. Some netizens caution that belief in psychic insight may blur the lines between personal intuition and unfounded anxiety.
The crash of Flight 171 remains under investigation. Until official reports emerge, the real story—engine failure, lightning, pilot response—will be the only one backed by facts. Meanwhile, Baldwin’s fans are left to wonder: was it a psychic hit, or mere coincidence amplified by tragedy?