India has witnessed many heartbreaking air crashes over the decades. The latest tragedy near Ahmedabad once again brings attention to aviation safety. From pilot errors to runway issues and even bombings, each incident holds lessons that shaped how flights are operated in the country. Here’s a simplified look at some of the deadliest plane crashes in Indian aviation history:
1. Ahmedabad Air India crash (June 12, 2025)
An Air India flight going to London crashed soon after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport. The plane, a Boeing 787, had 242 people on board and went down in Meghani, a nearby residential area. The aircraft caught fire immediately, and many were feared dead. This incident adds to growing concerns about the safety of Boeing aircraft and Indian aviation.
2. Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision (November 12, 1996)
This is one of the deadliest air disasters in Indian skies, killing 349 people. A Saudi Airlines plane was flying from Delhi and a Kazakhstan Airlines jet was coming into Delhi. They collided mid-air over Charkhi Dadri, near Haryana. The Kazakh aircraft had descended too low by mistake. Communication issues and poor English skills of the Kazakh pilots led to the crash. Both planes broke apart mid-air and there were no survivors.
3. Air India Express crash at Mangalore (May 22, 2010)
A flight from Dubai to Mangalore overshot the short table-top runway in heavy rain and fell into a valley. The Boeing 737 broke apart and caught fire. Out of 166 people, 158 died. Investigators blamed the pilot for ignoring warnings and landing late. The airport’s risky location also made the crash worse.
4. Air India Flight 182 bombing (June 23, 1985)
This was a case of terrorism and not a crash. A bomb exploded on Air India Flight 182, which was flying over the Atlantic Ocean near Ireland. All 329 people on board died, including many Canadians of Indian origin. The bomb was planted by Sikh extremists supporting the Khalistan movement. It was one of the worst aviation terror attacks ever. A related bomb also killed two people in Tokyo on the same day.
5. Kozhikode crash – Air India Express Flight 1344 (August 7, 2020)
A repatriation flight from Dubai crashed at Kozhikode Airport during a storm. The plane skidded off the tabletop runway, fell into a deep slope, and broke into pieces. There were 190 people on board; 21 died, including both pilots. The main cause was poor weather and pilot misjudgment during landing.
6. Alliance Air crash at Patna (July 17, 2000)
An Alliance Air plane was landing at Patna Airport when the pilots lost control and the aircraft crashed into a crowded residential area. 60 people died, including 5 on the ground. The crash was caused by pilot mistakes, such as not recovering from a stall and not handling the situation correctly. The few survivors were mostly seated at the back.
7. Bangalore crash – Indian Airlines flight 605 (February 14, 1990)
This flight crashed while landing in Bangalore. The pilots mistakenly used a wrong setting, and the plane dropped below the safe height. It hit the ground near a golf course and burst into flames. 92 out of 146 people died. Investigators said the pilots failed to follow correct landing procedures.
8. Ahmedabad crash – Indian Airlines flight 113 (October 19, 1988)
This plane from Mumbai was about to land in Ahmedabad, but the pilots descended too early in poor visibility. It hit trees and a power line, then crashed 2.5 km from the runway. Out of 135 people, 133 died, including all crew members. Even the two who initially survived later passed away due to injuries.