 Early Times Report
New Delhi, June 12: India has experienced several tragic plane crashes since its independence in 1947, resulting in significant loss of life and prompting improvements in aviation safety protocols. Below is a detailed account of the most notable commercial airliner crashes in India, including dates, casualty figures, and key details about each incident. The data is sourced from aviation safety records, news reports, and official investigations. This write-up also highlights trends in aviation safety and recent incidents, including the devastating Air India crash in Ahmedabad in 2025.
Significant Plane Crashes in India
January 1, 1978: Air India Flight 855 (Mumbai)
Casualties: All 213 people on board (190 passengers and 23 crew) were killed, making it one of India's deadliest aviation disasters at the time.
October 19, 1988: Indian Airlines Flight 113 (Ahmedabad)
Casualties: Of the 135 people on board (129 passengers and 6 crew), 133 were killed, with only two survivors. The crash occurred in a paddy field near Chiloda Kotarpur village, approximately 2.54 km from the airport.
November 12, 1996: Charkhi Dadri Mid-Air Collision (Haryana)
Casualties: All 349 people on board both aircraft were killed (312 on the Saudi flight and 37 on the Kazakh flight), making it the world's worst mid-air collision.
July 17, 2000: Alliance Air Flight 7412 (Patna)
Casualties: Of the 58 people on board (52 passengers and 6 crew), 51 were killed. Additionally, five people on the ground lost their lives, bringing the total death toll to 56.
May 22, 2010: Air India Express Flight 812 (Mangalore)
Casualties: Of the 166 people on board (160 passengers and 6 crew), 158 were killed (152 passengers and all 6 crew). Eight passengers initially survived, though one later succumbed to injuries.
August 7, 2020: Air India Express Flight 1344 (Kozhikode)
Casualties: Of the 190 people on board (184 passengers and 6 crew), 21 were killed (19 passengers and both pilots). Additionally, over 100 passengers were injured.
June 12, 2025: Air India Flight AI171 (Ahmedabad) |
