Timeline of major plane crashes in India
This timeline outlines the most significant aviation disasters in India, spanning from 1978 to 2020—ranging from the Air India Flight 855 crash in the Arabian Sea to the Kozhikode runway overrun
Hyderabad: An Air India passenger flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8, bound for London with more than 240 people on board crashed on Thursday into a residential area called Meghani Nagar, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, five minutes after taking off at 1.38 pm
India’s aviation history has been marred by several tragic air disasters, each revealing critical vulnerabilities and prompting major safety reforms. Here’s a chronological look at some of the most significant plane crashes in the country:
Indian Airlines Flight 440 (1973): Struck High Tension Wires
On May 31, 1973, Indian Airlines Flight 440 crashed during its approach to Delhi’s Palam Airport. The Boeing 737-200 encountered severe weather and struck high-tension wires just short of the runway. Of the 65 people on board, 48 died. Among the dead was prominent Indian politician Mohan Kumaramangalam. The crash underscored the need for improved weather radar at Indian airports.
Air India Flight 855 (1978) – Arabian Sea Crash
On January 1, 1978, Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747 bound for Dubai, plunged into the Arabian Sea shortly after takeoff from Mumbai. Instrument failure and pilot disorientation were blamed for the crash that killed all 213 on board. The tragedy led to stricter instrument redundancy checks and improved pilot training.
The flight was named the “Emperor Ashoka” (VT-EBD) and was the first Boeing 747 delivered to Air India in 1971.
Indian Airlines Flight 113 (1988): Ahmedabad Airport Crash
Amid poor visibility on October 19, 1988, Indian Airlines Flight 113, a Boeing 737-200, crashed on its approach to Ahmedabad Airport. The flight, arriving from Mumbai, struck trees and crashed short of the runway, killing 133 of the 135 people on board. Investigators pointed to pilot error, inadequate weather information, and procedural lapses by air traffic control.
Indian Airlines Flight 605 (1990) – Bangalore Tragedy
On February 14, 1990, Indian Airlines Flight 605 crashed while approaching Bangalore Airport. The Airbus A320 landed short of the runway due to pilot error, breaking apart and killing 92 of 146 passengers. The incident raised concerns about cockpit design and pilot readiness for modern aircraft.
Charkhi Dadri Collision (1996) – Deadliest Mid-Air Disaster
On November 12, 1996, a Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747 collided mid-air with a Kazakhstan Airlines Il-76 near Charkhi Dadri, Haryana. All 349 people aboard both aircraft died, making it one of the world’s worst mid-air collisions. Investigators cited miscommunication and air traffic control lapses, leading India to mandate onboard Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS).
Alliance Air Flight 7412 (2000): Patna Low Altitude Crash
Alliance Air Flight 7412 crashed into a densely populated residential area in Bihar’s Patna while attempting to land on July 17, 2000. The Boeing 737-200 experienced a stall at low altitude due to the reported improper handling during the final approach. Sixty people were killed, including five on the ground. The accident prompted upgrades to approach procedures at smaller urban airports.
Air India Express Flight 812 (2010) – Mangalore Runway Overrun
On May 22, 2010, Flight 812 overshot Mangalore’s tabletop runway and fell into a gorge, killing 158 of the 166 onboard. Pilot fatigue and a botched landing approach were major factors. The disaster led to enhanced protocols for tabletop runways and terrain-challenged airports.
Air India Express Flight 1344 (2020) – Kozhikode Crash
On August 7, 2020, Flight 1344 skidded off the runway at Kozhikode Airport amid heavy rain, breaking into pieces and killing 21 people, including both pilots. The accident renewed scrutiny of weather-related landing protocols and emergency response preparedness at tabletop airports.
