Aviation sector has witnessed several tragic Plane Crashes in India throughout its aviation history. These incidents often involved technical failures, human errors, miscommunication, or harsh weather conditions. This detailed article explores major air crashes in India from 1972 to 2023, along with significant issues reported with modern aircraft like the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
1972 – Japan Airlines Flight 471: Glide Path Failure
- Date: June 14, 1972
- Location: Near Palam Airport, New Delhi
- Casualties: 85 (82 passengers + 3 ground civilians)
Japan Airlines Flight 471 was on final approach to Delhi’s Palam Airport when it suddenly crashed. The aircraft, a DC-8 jetliner, had 87 people on board. The crash killed 82 of them and also resulted in the death of three civilians on the ground. Investigators from Japan cited a faulty Instrument Landing System (ILS) signal as the cause, while Indian authorities blamed poor adherence to the descent protocol. The crash exposed weaknesses in navigation systems and pilot response.
1973 – Indian Airlines Flight 440: Landing in a Storm
- Date: May 31, 1973
- Location: Palam Airport, New Delhi
- Casualties: 48 out of 65
Flight 440 crashed while attempting to land in severe weather conditions during a thunderstorm. The aircraft, a Boeing 737, descended too early and hit electrical transmission wires, causing it to crash. It caught fire upon impact. The pilot’s misjudgment during low visibility conditions was the key reason. The crash highlighted the need for better visibility standards and pilot training for low-visibility landings.
1976 – Indian Airlines Flight 171: Engine Fire in the Air
- Date: October 12, 1976
- Location: Near Mumbai
- Casualties: All 95 passengers and crew
The flight was en route to Madurai when one of its engines failed mid-air. This led to a fire in the aircraft, which quickly spread. The pilots attempted an emergency return to Mumbai Airport but failed. The aircraft lost control and crashed, killing everyone on board. Investigations pointed to poor maintenance and mechanical failure. This tragic event forced airlines to review their emergency preparedness protocols.
1978 – Air India Flight 855: Pilot Disorientation Over the Sea
- Date: January 1, 1978
- Location: Arabian Sea, near Mumbai
- Casualties: 213 (All on board)
Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747, crashed into the sea minutes after takeoff. The accident was caused by spatial disorientation of the captain following a faulty instrument reading. The co-pilot and flight engineer reportedly failed to challenge the incorrect actions. The crash, killing all 213 passengers and crew, remains one of India’s worst peacetime air disasters. It led to stricter cockpit resource management (CRM) training.
1988 – Indian Airlines IC-113 Crash in Ahmedabad
- Date: October 19, 1988
- Location: Near Ahmedabad Airport
- Casualties: 133 dead out of 135
Flight IC-113, a Boeing 737, crashed just 2 km short of the runway. The pilots were unable to see the runway due to dense fog but still attempted to land. The aircraft hit trees and structures before bursting into flames. This accident led to renewed attention on the importance of modern Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and fog visibility protocols.
1996 – Charkhi Dadri Mid-Air Collision: India’s Deadliest Air Disaster
- Date: November 12, 1996
- Location: Charkhi Dadri, Haryana
- Casualties: 349 (All passengers on both planes)
Two commercial aircraft collided mid-air near Delhi. A Saudi Airlines Boeing 747 was climbing while a Kazakhstan Airlines Il-76 cargo plane was descending. Due to miscommunication and lack of awareness about altitude levels, they collided at 14,000 feet. The crash killed everyone on both planes and is the world’s deadliest mid-air collision. Following the crash, India introduced mandatory Airborne Collision Avoidance Systems (ACAS) for all commercial planes.
2000 – Alliance Air Flight CD-7412: Residential Crash in Patna
- Date: July 17, 2000
- Location: Patna, Bihar
- Casualties: 60 dead
The Boeing 737 was approaching Patna Airport when it crashed into a residential area. Engine failure and loss of control during approach were blamed. Poor infrastructure around the airport and congested urban sprawl added to the disaster. The event raised concerns about landing safety in older urban airports.
2010 – Mangalore Crash: Table-Top Runway Tragedy
- Date: May 22, 2010
- Location: Mangalore, Karnataka
- Casualties: 158 dead
Air India Express Flight IX-812 from Dubai overshot the table-top runway at Mangalore and plunged into a deep gorge. The Boeing 737 aircraft broke apart and caught fire. The runway, perched on a cliff with no safety margin, was blamed along with pilot error. Only 8 people survived. This crash led to stricter rules for airports with table-top runways.
2020 – Kozhikode Crash: Another Table-Top Incident
- Date: August 7, 2020
- Location: Kozhikode (Calicut), Kerala
- Casualties: 18 dead
Air India Express Flight IX-1344 was returning Indians under the Vande Bharat Mission. During landing in heavy rain, the aircraft skidded off the runway and fell into a valley. The captain and co-pilot were among the dead. The airport’s table-top layout and slippery surface were key concerns. The tragedy again questioned the safety of such runways during monsoon.
2023 – Gwalior HAL Crash: Fighter Jet Mid-Air Collision
- Date: January 2023
- Location: Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
- Casualties: 1 pilot killed
Two IAF fighter jets, a Sukhoi Su-30 and a Mirage 2000, collided during a routine training sortie. One pilot died despite ejecting. The incident pointed to the risks involved even in peacetime defense training missions. The IAF reviewed its flight safety protocols for mock drills.
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner: Safety Concerns and Technical Problems
Battery Fires in 2013
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was grounded worldwide in January 2013 after two battery fires caused by lithium-ion units. One occurred on a Japan Airlines aircraft at Boston Airport. The FAA suspended all Dreamliner flights for three months. Boeing had to redesign the battery enclosure with new safety measures.
Engine Reliability Issues
Two engine types – General Electric’s GEnx and Rolls-Royce’s Trent 1000 – were used in Dreamliners. Both have faced repeated issues:
- Blade corrosion in Trent 1000
- Overheating in GEnx
- Engine vibrations
- Grounding of several aircraft for repairs
These issues caused flight cancellations worldwide, affecting airlines like ANA, British Airways, and Air India.
Recurring Hydraulic and Electrical Failures
Dreamliners have reported:
- Hydraulic leaks
- Fuel system malfunctions
- Electrical panel overheating
- Cabin pressure faults
Some of these issues forced emergency landings.
2024 – ANA Dreamliner Hydraulic Leak
In 2024, an All Nippon Airways 787-8 had to abort takeoff due to a sudden hydraulic oil leak. The incident triggered new rounds of inspections globally.
Conclusion: Plane Crashes in India
These tragic accidents remind us how crucial flight safety is. Each disaster has led to safety reforms—be it better navigation systems, crew training, radar protocols, or runway improvements. In modern aviation, even with advanced aircraft like the 787, technical flaws can endanger lives. Learning from past errors is key to ensuring safe air travel in the future.