India’s 10 Deadliest Civil Aviation Disasters: A History of Tragedies in the Skies

From the catastrophic 1996 Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision to the recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad, these tragedies spotlight aviation safety challenges in India

New Delhi | June 12, 2025

In the wake of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which has left the nation stunned, attention has once again turned toward the history of civil aviation disasters in India. While modern air travel is statistically among the safest modes of transport, India has witnessed several major crashes that claimed hundreds of lives.

Also Read: Air India Flight Crash: Plane Crashed Into Medical Students’ Hostel in Ahmedabad: Shocking Images Emerge

Here are 10 of the deadliest and most impactful civil aviation disasters in India’s history:

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✈️ 1. Charkhi Dadri Mid-Air Collision (November 12, 1996)

• Casualties: 349
• Details: A Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747 and a Kazakhstan Airlines Ilyushin Il-76 collided mid-air near Delhi.
• Significance: Worst mid-air collision in world aviation history; blamed on pilot miscommunication and lack of radar-based ATC separation.

Also Read: ‘Dead Bodies and Debris Everywhere’: Eyewitness Recounts Horror of Ahmedabad Plane Crash

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✈️ 2. Air India Flight 855, Bombay (January 1, 1978)

• Casualties: 213
• Details: Boeing 747 plunged into the Arabian Sea shortly after takeoff from Mumbai.
• Cause: Instrument failure and spatial disorientation.

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✈️ 3. Mangalore Air Crash (May 22, 2010)

• Casualties: 158
• Details: Air India Express Flight 812 overshot the runway and crashed into a gorge at Mangalore.
• Cause: Pilot misjudgment and high approach speed.

Also Read: Air India Crash: Pilots Issued ‘Mayday’ Call- Then There Was Complete Silence Says DGCA

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✈️ 4. Indian Airlines Flight 113, Ahmedabad (October 19, 1988)

• Casualties: 133
• Details: Aircraft crashed on approach due to low visibility and pilot error.

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✈️ 5. Indian Airlines Flight 605, Bangalore (February 14, 1990)

• Casualties: 92
• Details: Airbus A320 crashed short of the runway during landing.
• Cause: Pilot error during final approach.

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✈️ 6. Indian Airlines Flight 257, Imphal (August 16, 1991)

• Casualties: 69
• Details: Flight crashed into a hill while approaching Imphal due to poor weather and navigation error.

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✈️ 7. Alliance Air Flight 7412, Patna (July 17, 2000)

• Casualties: 60+
• Details: Boeing 737 crashed into a residential colony while attempting to land.
• Cause: Stall due to pilot error.

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✈️ 8. Aurangabad Air Crash (April 26, 1993)

• Casualties: 55
• Details: Indian Airlines Boeing 737 hit a truck during takeoff.
• Cause: Late rotation and poor runway security.

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✈️ 9. Air India Flight 403, Bombay (June 21, 1982)

• Casualties: 17
• Details: Aircraft crashed while landing in bad weather, catching fire.

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✈️ 10. Kozhikode (Calicut) Air Crash (August 7, 2020)

• Casualties: 21
• Details: Air India Express Flight 1344 skidded off a rain-soaked runway and broke apart.
• Significance: Renewed debate over table-top runways and monsoon safety protocols.

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📌 Conclusion:

These tragic incidents are somber reminders of the critical importance of aviation safety, training, infrastructure, and communication protocols. As India expands its domestic and international flight network, ensuring rigorous safety oversight remains more vital than ever.

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Tags:

India aviation history, deadliest plane crashes, civil aviation disasters, Air India accidents, Mangalore air crash, Patna crash, Charkhi Dadri collision, Kozhikode crash