Ahmedabad air crash: Look at some of the major air tragedies that have shaken India

India’s aviation history has witnessed several devastating air tragedies, with the latest being the tragic Air India crash near Ahmedabad, where a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff, killing at least 133 of the 242 people onboard. This horrifying incident now joins the list of India’s deadliest aviation disasters. Here’s a look at some of the most significant air crashes in the country’s history:

Also Read: ‘Hearbreaking’: PM Modi on Ahmedabad air crash; adds ‘will assist those in need’

Charkhi Dadri Mid-Air Collision (1996)

The deadliest aviation accident in India’s history occurred when a Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747 and a Kazakhstan Airlines Ilyushin collided mid-air over Haryana, killing all 349 people on both aircraft. Pilot error and communication failure were blamed.

Mumbai Crash (1978)

On January 1, an Air India Boeing 747 flying from Mumbai to Dubai crashed into the Arabian Sea just 3 km off the coast, killing 213 people. The crash was attributed to the pilot becoming “spatially disoriented.”

Ahmedabad Crash (1988)

Indian Airlines Flight 113, traveling from Mumbai, crashed while landing in Ahmedabad on October 19, killing 133 of 135 people onboard.

Indian Airlines Flight 171 (1976)

An engine failure led to the crash of this flight during an emergency landing attempt in Mumbai, resulting in 95 fatalities.

Kanishka Bombing (1985)

Air India Flight 182 exploded mid-air over the Atlantic Ocean due to a bomb planted by Canadian Sikh extremists, killing all 329 onboard.

Mangalore Crash (2010)

Air India Express Flight 812 from Dubai overshot the runway at Mangalore airport and fell into a gorge, killing 158 of the 166 passengers and crew. Only eight survived.

Kozhikode Crash (2020)

Air India Express Flight 1344 from Dubai crashed during landing at Kozhikode amid heavy rain, killing 19 people. The plane overshot the runway and broke apart.

These tragic events highlight the critical importance of stringent safety standards, pilot training, and improved airport infrastructure in preventing future disasters.