Air India Crash | As investigations continue into the Air India AI171 crash near Ahmedabad on Thursday, public attention has turned once again to the dark history of air disasters in India. The country has witnessed a series of fatal incidents over the decades—ranging from mid-air collisions and landing mishaps to crashes caused by poor visibility and outdated infrastructure.
Here’s a look at some of the worst aviation tragedies in India’s history, many of which brought about significant changes in air safety regulations and aviation protocol.
A Timeline of India’s Deadliest Air Accidents
Air India Express Flight 1344 (2020):
On August 7, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, this Vande Bharat repatriation mission flight overshot the wet tabletop runway at Kozhikode Airport, plunging into a valley and splitting in two. 21 people, including both pilots, died out of the 190 onboard.
Air India Express Flight 812 (2010):
On May 22, 2010, a Dubai-Mangaluru flight overshot the runway at Mangaluru International Airport. The Boeing 737-800 crashed into a gorge and caught fire, killing 158 passengers. The incident raised major safety concerns around India’s tabletop runways.
Alliance Air Flight 7412 (2000):
On July 17, 2000, a Boeing 737-200 crashed into a residential neighbourhood in Patna while landing. Improper handling during final approach caused a stall at low altitude, killing 60 people, including five on the ground.
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Charkhi Dadri Mid-Air Collision (1996):
India’s worst aviation disaster occurred on November 12, 1996, when 349 lives were lost in a mid-air collision between a Saudia Boeing 747 and a Kazakhstan Airlines Ilyushin Il-76 near Charkhi Dadri, Haryana. The accident was attributed to a communication breakdown, prompting the mandatory installation of TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) on all Indian commercial aircraft.
Indian Airlines Flight 605 (1990):
On February 14, 1990, a new Airbus A320 on final approach to Bengaluru’s HAL Airport hit the ground short of the runway and skidded onto a golf course. 92 of 146 people on board died, with investigations citing pilot error and unfamiliarity with the digital cockpit.
Indian Airlines Flight 113 (1988):
This flight crashed on approach to Ahmedabad Airport in low visibility on October 19, 1988. The aircraft struck trees before the runway, killing 133 of 135 people. Investigations cited pilot error and insufficient weather data.
Air India Flight 855 (1978):
A Boeing 747 bound for Dubai crashed into the Arabian Sea just 101 seconds after takeoff from Mumbai, on January 1, 1978, killing all 213 onboard. A faulty Attitude Director Indicator caused the captain to misread the aircraft’s orientation in nighttime conditions.
Indian Airlines Flight 440 (1973):
On May 31, 1973, during a storm, the aircraft struck high-tension wires while landing at Delhi’s Palam Airport, killing 48 of 65 onboard, including politician Mohan Kumaramangalam. The crash exposed the lack of reliable weather radar at Indian airports at the time.
As India reels from the latest crash involving Air India AI171, these historic tragedies serve as stark reminders of the urgent and continuous need for aviation safety enhancements, especially in a country witnessing exponential air traffic growth.
