New Delhi, June 12, 2025
Today, India faced yet another devastating air disaster. Air India Flight AI171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed just minutes after takeoff. The aircraft carried 242 individuals, including 169 Indians, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian.

This tragedy revives memories of India’s most catastrophic aviation disasters — moments that shook the nation and reshaped safety protocols.

💥 Top Aviation Tragedies in India’s History:

1. Charkhi Dadri Mid-Air Collision (1996)

349 deaths – India’s deadliest air crash. A Saudi Airlines Boeing 747 and a Kazakhstan Airlines Ilyushin collided mid-air due to communication errors. Post this, TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) was made mandatory in Indian airspace.

2. Ahmedabad Crash – AI171 (2025)

A brand-new entry to this tragic list. The aircraft, carrying passengers of multiple nationalities, crashed shortly after departure. An investigation is ongoing, and black boxes are being recovered.

3. Calicut Airport Crash (2020)

Air India Express Flight 1344 overshot the runway during heavy rain. The Boeing 737 broke into two on a tabletop runway. 21 lives lost.

4. Mangalore Runway Disaster (2010)

Flight 812 skidded off a tabletop runway, crashed into a gorge, and caught fire. 158 people perished. It triggered discussions on runway lengths and pilot landing protocols.

5. Patna Urban Crash (2000)

Alliance Air Flight 7412 crashed into a residential area. 60 died, including 5 on the ground. It highlighted the need for stricter approach paths for congested airports.

6. Bangalore A320 Crash (1990)

Indian Airlines Flight 605 crashed due to pilot misinterpretation of digital instruments. 92 deaths. The Airbus A320 was relatively new in India, and the incident exposed training gaps.

7. Ahmedabad Crash – IC113 (1988)

The flight crashed in poor visibility, just short of the runway. 133 killed. ATC errors and poor weather information were major contributors.

8. Mumbai Sea Crash – AI855 (1978)

Shortly after takeoff, the Boeing 747 plunged into the Arabian Sea due to instrument failure. 213 people died. This tragic event exposed vulnerabilities in cockpit interpretation at night.

9. Delhi Palam Crash (1973)

Flight 440 crashed into power lines during poor weather. 48 passengers, including politician Mohan Kumaramangalam, lost their lives.

✈️ Lessons from the Skies:

Each of these incidents led to improvements — from mandatory TCAS installations to changes in runway design and pilot training. But the 2025 Ahmedabad crash is a grim reminder: aviation safety is an ever-evolving mission, and complacency has no place in the skies.