- By Deeksha Gour
- Thu, 12 Jun 2025 05:10 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Ahmedabad Flight Crash: On 12 June 2025, Flight AI171 crashed just minutes after take-off from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport . The aircraft, which had 242 people onboard, lost contact with the control tower shortly after departure. Within moments, it crashed into the Meghani Nagar residential area, resulting in at least 40 confirmed deaths.
Emergency services including fire brigades, ambulances and NDRF teams were quickly dispatched to the site. A probe has been initiated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), while Air India has issued a statement confirming the incident and promising updates via official platforms.
This is not the first time that Air India has been in the spotlight for a serious aviation mishap. The airline, with decades of operations, has experienced several major accidents, some of which ended in mass casualties.
Air India Flight Crash
Flight IX-1344 – Kozhikode, 2020
On August 7, 2020, an Air India Express flight coming from Dubai crash-landed during heavy rain in Kerala’s Kozhikode. The Boeing 737–800 aircraft overshot the tabletop runway, split into two upon impact and killed 21 people, including both pilots. The flight was part of the government’s repatriation mission during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Flight IX-812 – Mangaluru, 2010
One of the deadliest crashes in India, this flight from Dubai to Mangaluru overshot the tabletop runway on May 22, 2010. The Boeing 737 fell into a valley and caught fire. Of the 166 onboard, 158 were killed, with just 8 survivors. The crash led to renewed debate on safety at airports with short runways.
Flight 855 – Arabian Sea, 1978
This crash took place on January 1, 1978, minutes after take-off from Mumbai. The Boeing 747 plunged into the Arabian Sea after the pilots were misled by a faulty instrument. All 213 people onboard died. It remains one of the earliest major disasters in Air India’s fleet history.
Flight 101 – Mont Blanc, France, 1966
On January 24, 1966, Air India Flight 101, a Boeing 707, crashed into Mont Blanc in the French Alps, killing all 117 passengers and crew. Among the victims was Indian physicist Dr Homi J. Bhabha. Investigations pointed to navigational errors and communication issues as the cause.
Flight 182 – North Atlantic, 1985
On June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182 exploded mid-air off the Irish coast after a bomb planted by Khalistani extremists detonated. All 329 onboard, including children and crew, were killed. It remains the worst aviation-related terror attack involving an Indian airline.
Flight 403 – Mumbai, 1982
On June 21, 1982, Air India Flight 403 crashed during a landing attempt in Mumbai due to heavy rain and technical faults. Seventeen people lost their lives.
