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India’s Aviation Tragedies: A History of Loss and Lessons
India’s Aviation Tragedies: A History of Loss and Lessons
There have been many moments in India’s aviation history when tragedies from the sky have not only shattered families but plunged the entire nation into mourning.
Every time air travel is considered “safe,” a major air disaster reminds us that even in the heights of technology, errors can occur—and sometimes, these errors become catastrophic.
On January 1, 1978, Air India Flight 855 crashed near the Mumbai coast. The Boeing 747 plunged into the Arabian Sea, killing all 213 on board. The crash was caused by an instrument failure and human error by the pilot.
Years later, on June 23, 1985, the deadliest incident in India’s aviation history occurred when Air India Flight 182 exploded mid-air over the Atlantic near Ireland due to a bomb planted by Khalistani extremists. All 329 passengers were killed.
On February 14, 1990, Indian Airlines Flight 605 crashed during landing at Bengaluru Airport, resulting in 92 deaths due to pilot error and technical failure.
One of the most heart-wrenching disasters was on November 12, 1996, when a Kazakh and Saudi aircraft collided mid-air over Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, killing 349 people — one of the worst aviation collisions in the world.
On May 22, 2010, Air India Express Flight 812 skidded off the runway in Mangalore and fell into a valley, killing 158 passengers. A similar tragedy occurred on August 7, 2020, when Flight 1344 broke into two at Kozhikode during heavy rain, killing 21.
Other tragic chapters include the 1988 Indian Airlines crash in Ahmedabad (133 dead), the 1973 crash in Delhi (48 dead), and the 1966 Air India crash in France’s Mont Blanc (117 dead), which included the father of Afghan leader Hamid Karzai.
June 12, 2025: The Latest Tragedy
Today, another horrifying chapter was added. Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport into a doctor’s hostel in Meghani Nagar. The plane was carrying 242 people — 230 passengers and 12 crew members — including 169 Indians, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian national.
The pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had over 8,200 flight hours, sent out a mayday call just before the aircraft lost contact and exploded in a massive fireball. There are numerous casualties and injuries; the exact toll is still unknown. Reports suggest a former Chief Minister of Gujarat was also on board.
The surrounding area also suffered severe losses, but no clear figure is available yet. Rescue teams are still working at the site, and all flights from Ahmedabad Airport have been suspended.
This incident marks the first crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model in service since 2011, and adds another grave tragedy to India’s aviation record.
These events remind us that improvement in aviation is a continuous journey. True safety involves not just technology but also ethical training, weather analysis, and strict air traffic control coordination. Air crashes are not just mechanical failures — they cast long, painful shadows over families and shake a nation's soul.
May the families of the victims find the strength to get through this unimaginably difficult time. 🙏
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