India’s deadliest plane crashes: A look back at nation’s most tragic aviation disasters
Ahmedabad: The horrifying Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad airport that claimed at least 133 lives has once again brought to the fore the fragility of air travel and the devastating impact of aviation accidents. As rescue teams continue to recover bodies and tend to survivors from Thursday’s tragedy, the incident joins a grim list of India’s most fatal air disasters. Here's a detailed look at some of the deadliest and most chaotic plane crashes that have occurred in India over the decades — each one etched deeply in the nation’s memory.
Mangalore Air Crash (2010)
Date: May 22, 2010
Flight: Air India Express Flight IX 812
Route: Dubai to Mangalore
Fatalities: 158
The crash at Mangalore International Airport remains one of the most tragic air disasters in Indian history. The Air India Express Boeing 737-800 was carrying 160 passengers and six crew members when it overshot the runway during landing at the table-top airport. Of the 166 people on board, only eight survived.
The aircraft, flying in from Dubai, touched down beyond the runway threshold. The pilot attempted to brake hard, but the plane could not be stopped in time. It plunged off the cliff-like edge of the table-top runway into a wooded gorge and burst into flames.
Reasons Identified:
The official investigation pointed to pilot error as the primary cause. The Serbian captain, who was reportedly asleep for most of the flight, misjudged the landing and ignored repeated warnings from the co-pilot. The aircraft landed too far down the runway, leaving insufficient space to halt safely.
The Mangalore crash raised serious concerns about pilot fatigue, communication in the cockpit, and the safety of table-top runways, which are elevated and offer little margin for error.
Charkhi Dadri Mid-Air Collision (1996)
Date: November 12, 1996
Flights Involved: Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight 763 and Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907
Fatalities: 349
This tragic accident near Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, is still remembered as the world’s deadliest mid-air collision.
Saudi Airlines Flight 763, a Boeing 747, had taken off from Delhi and was climbing out of Indian airspace when it collided with a descending Kazakhstan Airlines Ilyushin IL-76, which had been cleared to land at the same airport. The crash killed all 312 passengers on the Saudi flight and all 37 on the Kazakh aircraft.
Reasons Identified:
Investigations revealed that the Kazakh aircraft had descended below its assigned altitude due to miscommunication and limited English proficiency among the crew. At that time, India lacked secondary surveillance radar, and air traffic controllers relied heavily on pilot communication for separation. The tragedy led to the mandatory installation of airborne collision avoidance systems (ACAS) in Indian airspace and a renewed global focus on English proficiency among pilots.
Air India Flight 855 Crash (1978)
Date: January 1, 1978
Flight: Air India Flight 855
Route: Mumbai to Dubai
Fatalities: 213
On the first day of 1978, Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747 named Emperor Ashoka, crashed into the Arabian Sea just minutes after takeoff from Mumbai’s Santacruz airport. All 213 people on board were killed.
Reasons Identified:
The official inquiry reported that the captain became disoriented due to a malfunctioning instrument that led him to believe the plane was banking when it wasn’t. He overcorrected, causing the plane to bank sharply to the left and spiral into the sea. Lack of proper coordination among the cockpit crew and spatial disorientation were also cited as contributing factors.
Indian Airlines Flight 491 (Aurangabad Crash, 1993)
Date: April 26, 1993
Flight: Indian Airlines Flight 491
Route: Aurangabad to Mumbai
Fatalities: 55
The Boeing 737 was on a domestic flight when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Aurangabad. As the aircraft attempted to lift off, it hit a truck crossing the runway, causing the wing to break off and the fuel tanks to ignite.
Reasons Identified:
The runway was not adequately secured, and the presence of vehicles on the airstrip indicated severe lapses in airport safety. Poor visibility and delayed rotation during takeoff further contributed to the crash.
Alliance Air Flight 7412 (Patna Crash, 2000)
Date: July 17, 2000
Flight: Alliance Air Flight 7412
Route: Kolkata to Delhi via Patna and Lucknow
Fatalities: 60
The aircraft, a Boeing 737 operated by Alliance Air, crashed while attempting to land at Patna airport. The plane crashed into a residential area near the airport, killing all six crew members and 54 passengers, along with several people on the ground.
Reasons Identified:
The aircraft stalled during a go-around maneuver due to a steep bank and loss of speed. Investigations blamed pilot error, inadequate training, and misjudged approach path as primary reasons.
Air India Flight 182 (Kanishka Bombing, 1985)
Date: June 23, 1985
Flight: Air India Flight 182
Route: Toronto to Mumbai via London and Delhi
Fatalities: 329
Although this crash did not occur on Indian soil, it remains the worst aviation disaster involving an Indian airline and was caused by an act of terrorism. The Boeing 747, known as Kanishka, exploded mid-air due to a bomb planted by Sikh separatists.
The aircraft exploded off the coast of Ireland, killing all 329 on board, including 268 Canadian citizens, many of whom were of Indian origin.
Reasons Identified:
Security lapses at Canadian airports allowed the bomb to be placed in checked luggage. The incident prompted a global overhaul of airport security, particularly for international flights.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash (2025)
Date: June 12, 2025
Flight: Air India Flight AI171
Route: Ahmedabad to London Gatwick
Fatalities: At least 133 confirmed (as of last update)
In the most recent addition to this list of aviation tragedies, Air India’s Boeing Dreamliner crashed just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad airport. The flight was headed to London and carried 242 people, including two pilots and 10 crew members. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Reports suggest the plane crashed into a densely populated area near Meghaninagar. Massive plumes of smoke were visible from the crash site, and rescue operations are underway. Multiple hospitals in the city are on emergency alert, and an investigation team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been deployed.
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Bengaluru records coldest December night in eight years at 13.30C, says IMD
Bengaluru: Bengaluru experienced its coldest December night in eight years, with the minimum temperature dropping to 13.3 degrees Celsius on December 13, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
According to the report published by The New Indian Express on Tuesday, IMD data shows that this is the lowest minimum temperature recorded in the city since 2016. The all-time lowest December temperature in Bengaluru was 8.9 degrees Celsius on December 29, 1883. In recent years, the city recorded 12 degrees Celsius in December 2016 and 12.8 degrees Celsius in December 2011.
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IMD officials reportedly said, day temperatures in Bengaluru and other parts of south-interior Karnataka will dip further in the coming days. They also forecast light drizzle in some parts of the region over the next few days.
“There will be a slight rise in night time temperatures from Monday, December 15, 2025, because of the prevailing south easterly winds. These winds will lead to the formation of a thin cloud cover and layer of water vapour over the atmosphere. The moisture level in the atmosphere will increase, leading to a dip in the day temperatures and a slight rise in the night temperatures from the prevailing 14 degrees Celsius,” TNIE quoted IMD senior scientist CS Patil as saying.
However, once these winds weaken, northerly and north-easterly winds are expected to return, which could lead to another drop in night temperatures. Officials allegedly said that Karnataka may see a longer and drier winter spell this year compared to previous seasons.
