Air India Plane Crashes – Timeline of Major Disasters

Air India has faced catastrophic aviation disasters across eight decades, from the 1955 bombing of the Kashmir Princess to the Air India Flight 171 (2025) — Ahmedabad Crash. These incidents have resulted in hundreds of fatalities and prompted intense regulatory scrutiny by Indian and international aviation authorities.

The carrier’s deadliest accident remains Air India Flight 182 (1985) — Bombing, which killed 329 people over the Atlantic Ocean. More recent tragedies include the 2020 Kozhikode runway excursion and the 2025 Ahmedabad crash involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner—the first fatal hull loss for that aircraft type since its 2011 introduction.

Official investigations by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and foreign agencies have documented causes ranging from terrorist sabotage to weather-related pilot stress and potential intentional flight control actions.

What Are the Major Air India Plane Crashes?

• Deadliest single incident: Flight 182 bombing killed all 329 occupants, making it the worst aviation disaster in Canadian history and Air India’s deadliest accident.
• First fatal 787 crash: The 2025 Ahmedabad incident marked the first hull loss with fatalities for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner globally.
• Mountain collision: Flight 245 crashed into Mont Blanc in 1950, killing all 48 people aboard during a Bombay-London route.
• Political bombing: The 1955 Kashmir Princess attack over the South China Sea killed 16 of 19 passengers, allegedly targeting Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai.
• Monsoon tragedy: The 2020 Kozhikode crash occurred during torrential rains, with the aircraft plunging into a valley after runway overrun.
• Sole survivor: Flight 171 in 2025 had only one survivor among 242 occupants, plus 19 ground fatalities.

What Happened in the 2020 Air India Express Kozhikode Crash?

Crash Sequence

On August 7, 2020, a Boeing 737-800 operating as Air India Express Flight 1344 attempted to land at Kozhikode Airport in Kerala during torrential monsoon conditions. Strong tailwinds and low visibility complicated the approach at the tabletop airport, which sits on a plateau surrounded by steep terrain.

The pilot aborted landing twice before touching down approximately 1,000 meters beyond the runway threshold on the third attempt. The aircraft failed to stop, skidded off the wet runway, hurdled down a 35-foot embankment, and split into two sections.

Casualties and Rescue

The accident killed 21 of 190 occupants, including both pilots. First responders faced hazardous conditions due to heavy rain and fuel leakage. Despite the aircraft breaking apart, the absence of fire prevented additional casualties among the 169 survivors.

What Caused Iconic Air India Crashes Like Flight 182 and 855?

Flight 182 Bombing

Air India Flight 182 disintegrated over the Atlantic Ocean on June 23, 1985, when a bomb exploded in the forward cargo hold. The device, concealed in a suitcase, had transferred from a Canadian Pacific Air Lines flight in Vancouver. All 329 passengers and crew died instantly, including 268 Canadian citizens, making this the deadliest terrorist attack involving aircraft until September 11, 2001.

Canadian investigators later determined that Sikh extremists targeting the Indian government had orchestrated the bombing. Only one person, Inderjit Singh Reyat, was convicted for his role in constructing the explosive device.

Flight 855 Controlled Flight Into Sea

On New Year’s Day 1978, Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747 named Emperor Ashoka, crashed into the Arabian Sea approximately three minutes after departing Bombay. The aircraft had entered a steep left turn and descended rapidly from 3,000 feet.

Investigators attributed the crash to spatial disorientation following the possible malfunction of flight instruments after sunset over water. All 213 occupants—190 passengers and 23 crew—perished in what remains India’s second-deadliest aviation accident.

How Many Died and Were There Survivors in Air India Crashes?

Total Fatalities

Air India and Air India Express accidents have claimed over 900 lives since 1947. The 1985 bombing accounts for the highest single-incident death toll at 329, while the 2025 Ahmedabad crash produced 260 total fatalities including ground victims.

The 1947 Korangi Creek crash killed all 23 occupants of a Douglas DC-3, marking the airline’s first fatal accident. Subsequent disasters maintained high fatality rates due to in-flight breakups, controlled flight into terrain, or runway excursions into steep terrain.

Survivor Accounts

Survivors are rare in Air India’s major disasters. The June 2025 Ahmedabad crash produced only one survivor among 242 occupants—a British national seated near the aft emergency exit who sustained critical but non-fatal injuries.

What Is the Timeline of Air India Aviation Disasters?

1. December 27, 1947: Korangi Creek crash near Karachi kills 23, possibly due to instrument failure in poor visibility. Source
2. November 3, 1950: Flight 245 crashes into Mont Blanc, France, killing all 48 during descent to Geneva.
3. April 11, 1955: Kashmir Princess bombed over South China Sea; 16 of 19 die.
4. January 1, 1978: Flight 855 crashes into Arabian Sea near Bombay; all 213 die.
5. June 21, 1982: Flight 403 crashes during takeoff in Bombay; 17 of 111 die.
6. June 23, 1985: Flight 182 bombed over Atlantic; 329 die in worst terrorist air attack of its era.
7. August 7, 2020: Air India Express Flight 1344 overruns Kozhikode runway; 21 die.
8. June 12, 2025: Flight 171 crashes 32 seconds after Ahmedabad takeoff; 260 die including ground victims.

What Is Confirmed vs. Under Investigation?

How Does Air India’s Safety Record Compare?

Following the June 2025 crash, Air India initiated an immediate service reduction branded as a “Safety Pause,” while the Directorate General of Civil Aviation mandated urgent inspections of all Boeing 787 aircraft registered in India. These measures represent the most significant regulatory intervention since the 2020 Kozhikode accident.

The 2025 incident shattered the Boeing 787’s previous fatality-free operational record spanning 14 years and millions of flight hours. Prior to this, Air India’s safety improvements following the 1985 bombing included enhanced cargo screening protocols adopted industry-wide. The airline’s post-Tata merger operational structure faces renewed scrutiny regarding crew resource management and safety culture implementation.

What Do Official Reports Say?

“Both engine fuel control switches were moved from RUN to CUTOFF position three seconds after liftoff, causing both engines to lose thrust.”

— Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, Preliminary Report, July 14, 2025

“The pilot aborted landing twice before touching down too far along the runway on the third attempt.”

— Britannica Aviation Archives, Kozhikode Crash Analysis

“The AAIB formed a multi-disciplinary committee that included representatives from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.”

— NDTV Aviation Desk, Investigation Timeline

What Should Travelers Know About Air India Safety?

Air India operates under heightened regulatory oversight following the June 2025 tragedy, with mandatory flight data monitoring and enhanced Boeing 787 inspections currently active. While the carrier maintains extensive international routes, travelers should monitor DGCA directives and airline safety bulletins for route-specific updates, particularly during Indian monsoon seasons when secondary airports like Kozhikode present challenging weather conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions