The Mangalore Air India Express crash had been the most tragic one since 2000. As many as 158 people were killed when the aircraft overshot the tabletop runway on landing, and rolled down a hillock and caught fire.
Published Jun 12, 2025 | 5:52 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 13, 2025 | 11:05 AM
Air India flight AI 171 crashed near Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff, confirms chairman N Chandrasekaran
Synopsis: India has witnessed a few air crashes since 2000. Thursday’s crash in Ahmedabad is the first after Air India was privatised.
The world is mourning the air crash involving a Gatwick, London-bound Air India flight shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday, 12 June.
Though the cause of the crash is not known, videos circulating on social media showed the heavily-fuelled aircraft struggling to gain altitude. It went down with its landing gear engaged before a cloud of thick, dark smoke rose, enveloping a raging fire.
The flight, AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registered as VT-ANB), had on board 242 souls, including two pilots and 10 crew members, when it crashed at Meghani Nagar, a residential neighbourhood, outside the airport. The crash left 241 people onboard dead with just one survivor who miraculously escaped with injuries.
India has witnessed a few plane crashes since the turn of the millennium. Below are the crashes reported since 2000.
Date: 17 July 2000
Incident: Alliance Air Flight 7412 crashed at a residential estate in Patna after the pilot lost control of the stalled aircraft. Deaths included 55 people aboard, and five others on the ground.
Casualties: 55+5
Measures: In the wake of the tragic crash, the Board of Inquiry urged immediate action to prevent future accidents. It recommended that Alliance Air prioritise improved pilot training, focusing on crew discipline, coordination, and strict adherence to standard operating procedures.
Importantly, training on how to recover from both approaches and clean stalls was emphasised. The report also held local and national authorities accountable—urging the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Government of Bihar, and the Airports Authority of India to take concrete steps to remove or mitigate the threat posed by the tall trees obstructing Runway 25’s approach path.
Date: 22 May 2010
Incident: Air India Express Flight 812, a Boeing 737-800 flying the Dubai-Mangalore route overshot Runway 24 on landing at Mangalore International Airport, killing 158 passengers on board.
Casualties: 158
Survivors: 8
Measures: Following the Mangalore crash, the inquiry committee issued urgent recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies. These included extending the tabletop runway, enhancing safety zones, and reinforcing pilot training on stabilized approaches and cockpit communication. However, as of January 2013, little progress had been made. Despite the clear findings of pilot error and ignored go-around calls, authorities—including the DGCA, Airports Authority of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the central government—had not implemented key safety measures. The delay in extending the runway and improving infrastructure raised serious concerns about aviation safety and accountability in the aftermath of such a devastating accident.
Date: 22 July 2016
Incident: An Indian Air Force AN-32 crashed in the Bay of Bengal
Casualties: 29
Measures: To solve the mystery of the missing AN-32, India turned to science, technology, and sheer perseverance. In 2022, the country acquired the OMe-6000, a deep-sea autonomous submersible capable of diving 6,000 metres. It was this machine, operated by the National Institute of Ocean Technology that finally spotted aircraft debris 3.4 km below the ocean’s surface- offering closure and long-awaited answers to 29 grieving families.
Date: 3 June 2019
Incident: An Indian Air Force AN-32 crashed in a hilly terrain in Arunachal Pradesh after it lost contact with ground control
Casualties: 13
Survivors:0
Measures: In the wake of the missing AN-32, the Indian Armed Forces launched one of the most extensive search and rescue operations in the region’s history. Despite relentless rain and mountainous terrain, aircraft like the Sukhoi-30, C-130J, and MI-17 helicopters were deployed alongside ground forces from the Army, ITBP, and state police. The Navy’s P-8i and ISRO’s Cartosat and RISAT satellites also joined the mission. A reward was offered for information, and after eight days, the wreckage was found in the Pari hills. Rescue teams were airdropped, and though there were no survivors, they recovered vital flight recorders to aid investigation.
Date: 7 August 2020
Incident: Air India Express Flight 1344, a Boeing 737-800 flying the Dubai-Kozhikode route overshot the runway on landing at Calicut International Airport breaking into four pieces.
Casualties: 18
Survivors: 172
Measures: In response to the tragic Kozhikode crash, a five-member committee was set up by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to investigate the causes and recommend safety measures. Headed by Captain SS Chahar, the team included experts with deep knowledge of Boeing 737 operations. Despite initial delays due to the pandemic, their mandate included examining pilot decisions, runway conditions, and ATC communication. The Ministry of Civil Aviation also coordinated with global agencies like the NTSB for technical support. The aim was not just accountability but future prevention—ensuring that improved infrastructure, transparent inquiry, and
stricter landing protocols become standard across Indian airports.
Date: June 12, 2025
Incident: Air India passenger plane crash in Gujarat
Casualties: 241 passengers onboard, casualties at crash site still unknown at the time of publishing this report
Survivors: 1
