Air India’s long legacy has witnessed both global connectivity and devastating tragedies. From terror attacks to technical failures, here is a timeline of the airline’s most catastrophic accidents, sorted from newest to oldest, with full details on passenger count, cause, fatalities, and impact.
Table of Contents
9 Deadliest Accidents in Air India’s History
1. Air India Flight 171 – June 12, 2025 (Ahmedabad, India)
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
- Route: Ahmedabad to London Gatwick
- Total Onboard: 242 (230 passengers + 12 crew)
- Fatalities: 241 onboard + 28 on ground = ~269
- Survivors: 1
- Cause (Preliminary): Technical failure post-takeoff
Summary:
Crashed just 30 seconds after takeoff into a hostel block. Became the worst civilian air crash in Indian history.
2. Air India Express Flight 1344 – August 7, 2020 (Kozhikode, Kerala)
- Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
- Route: Dubai to Kozhikode
- Total Onboard: 190 (184 passengers + 6 crew)
- Fatalities: 21
- Survivors: 169
- Cause: Skidded off the tabletop runway in heavy rain
3. Air India Express Flight 812 – May 22, 2010 (Mangaluru, Karnataka)
- Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
- Route: Dubai to Mangaluru
- Total Onboard: 166 (160 passengers + 6 crew)
- Fatalities: 158
- Survivors: 8
- Cause: Overshot the runway and fell into a valley
4. Air India Flight 403 – June 21, 1982 (Mumbai, Maharashtra)
- Aircraft: Boeing 707-437
- Route: Kuala Lumpur to Mumbai
- Total Onboard: 99
- Fatalities: 19
- Survivors: 80
- Cause: Crash-landing due to wind shear
5. Air India Flight 182 (Kanishka Bombing) – June 23, 1985 (Off Irish Coast)
- Aircraft: Boeing 747-237B
- Route: Montreal–London–Delhi–Mumbai
- Total Onboard: 329 (307 passengers + 22 crew)
- Fatalities: 329
- Survivors: 0
- Cause: Terrorist bombing (mid-air explosion)
6. Air India Flight 855 – January 1, 1978 (Arabian Sea, near Mumbai)
- Aircraft: Boeing 747-237B
- Route: Mumbai to Dubai
- Total Onboard: 213
- Fatalities: 213
- Survivors: 0
- Cause: Instrument failure and spatial disorientation
7. Air India Flight 101 – January 24, 1966 (Mont Blanc, France)
- Aircraft: Boeing 707-437
- Route: Mumbai to London
- Total Onboard: 117 (106 passengers + 11 crew)
- Fatalities: 117
- Survivors: 0
- Cause: Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT)
8. Air India Flight 296 – June 8, 1966 (Mumbai, India)
- Aircraft: Boeing 707
- Route: Mumbai to Geneva
- Total Onboard: 111
- Fatalities: 57
- Survivors: 54
- Cause: Engine failure and pilot misjudgment
9. Air India Flight 245 – November 3, 1950 (Mont Blanc, France)
- Aircraft: Lockheed Constellation L-749A
- Route: Mumbai to London
- Total Onboard: 48
- Fatalities: 48
- Survivors: 0
- Cause: CFIT due to weather and navigation error
Crash Summary Table (2025 Update)
| Year | Flight No. | Aircraft | Location | Onboard | Fatalities | Survivors | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | AI 171 | Boeing 787 | Ahmedabad, India | 242 | ~269 (incl. ground) | 1 | Technical failure post-takeoff |
| 2020 | IX 1344 | Boeing 737 | Kozhikode, India | 190 | 21 | 169 | Runway overshoot in rain |
| 2010 | IX 812 | Boeing 737 | Mangaluru, India | 166 | 158 | 8 | Overshot tabletop runway |
| 1985 | AI 182 | Boeing 747 | Atlantic Ocean | 329 | 329 | 0 | Bombing (terrorism) |
| 1982 | AI 403 | Boeing 707 | Mumbai, India | 99 | 19 | 80 | Crash during landing |
| 1978 | AI 855 | Boeing 747 | Arabian Sea | 213 | 213 | 0 | Instrument failure |
| 1966 | AI 101 | Boeing 707 | Mont Blanc, France | 117 | 117 | 0 | CFIT |
| 1966 | AI 296 | Boeing 707 | Mumbai, India | 111 | 57 | 54 | Engine failure, pilot error |
| 1950 | AI 245 | Lockheed Constellation | Mont Blanc, France | 48 | 48 | 0 | Navigation error, CFIT |
Key Lessons Emerged (With Ahmedabad Crash 2025)
- Technical Reliability:
The AI 171 accident underscores the pressing need for more rigorous pre-flight technical diagnostics, especially for long-range widebodies like the Dreamliner. - Emergency Planning Around Airports:
The aircraft impacting a medical college hostel highlights how airport-adjacent infrastructure must be factored into crash-zone risk assessments. - Crew Training on Sudden Failures:
Reinforces the importance of advanced simulator training that includes abrupt takeoff emergency scenarios. - Fleet-Wide Inspections:
India’s consideration to temporarily ground or audit Dreamliner operations shows a more proactive, safety-oriented mindset. - Global Cooperation in Investigations:
Joint efforts from AAIB, NTSB, and Boeing emphasize the importance of international transparency in aviation safety.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the worst Air India crash in history?
A: Air India Flight 182 in 1985, where 329 people died due to a mid-air bombing, is the deadliest accident in its history.
Q2. How many Air India planes have crashed?
A: Over 20 major crashes have occurred in Air India’s history, including those under its subsidiary Air India Express.
Q3. What is a tabletop runway?
A: A runway located on top of a hill or plateau, with steep drops at both ends, making landing risky.
Q4. Is Air India safe to fly?
A: Yes. Modern Air India complies with international aviation safety standards and has improved post-privatization.
Q5. What safety improvements has Air India made?
A: Enhancements in pilot training, aircraft maintenance, cockpit technology, and airport infrastructure.
Final Words🙏
These incidents are grim reminders of the importance of aviation safety, training, and international cooperation. The 2025 Ahmedabad crash has now reshaped the future of air travel regulations in India. Every tragedy brings painful lessons—but also a renewed commitment to never repeat them.
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