New Delhi, June 12 – The recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has once again drawn attention to aviation safety in India. The country has witnessed several major civilian air disasters over the decades, with the most devastating being the Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision in 1996, which remains India’s worst air tragedy.
Here is a list of 10 significant civil aviation accidents in India:
- August 7, 2020 – Calicut (Kozhikode) Air Crash: Air India Express Flight 1344 from Dubai skidded off a wet runway during landing, breaking into two and killing 21 people.
- May 22, 2010 – Mangalore Air Crash: Air India Express Flight 812 overshot the runway and plunged into a gorge, resulting in 158 fatalities.
- July 17, 2000 – Patna Air Crash: Alliance Air Flight 7412 crashed while landing, killing over 60 people due to loss of control attributed to pilot error.
- November 12, 1996 – Charkhi Dadri Mid-Air Collision: A Saudi Boeing 747 and Kazakhstan Il-76 collided mid-air near Delhi, claiming 349 lives due to miscommunication and pilot error.
- April 26, 1993 – Aurangabad Crash: Indian Airlines Flight 491 struck a truck and power lines after takeoff, killing 55 passengers.
- August 16, 1991 – Imphal Crash: Indian Airlines Flight 257 crashed on approach, killing all 69 onboard.
- February 14, 1990 – Bangalore Crash: Indian Airlines Flight 605, an Airbus A320, crashed during approach, leaving 92 dead.
- October 19, 1988 – Ahmedabad Crash: Indian Airlines Flight 113 crashed on approach, killing 133 people.
- June 21, 1982 – Bombay Crash: Air India Flight 403 crashed on landing, killing 17.
- January 1, 1978 – Bombay Sea Crash: Air India Flight 855 crashed into the Arabian Sea post-takeoff, killing all 213 aboard.
These incidents have underscored the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in India’s civil aviation sector.
