From major mid-air collisions to fatal crashes due to bad weather conditions, to runways overshooting at tabletop airports, the country has witnessed various aviation tragedies over the decades. Here's a look
-1749728900519_d.png "Ahmedabad plane crash brings back grim memories of past air disasters in India")
Debris of the Air India plane that crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday. Pic/PTI.
A London-bound Air India aircraft, with 242 people onboard, crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday. The mishap has brought back the grim memories of previous aviation disasters in India.
From major mid-air collisions to fatal crashes due to bad weather conditions, to runways overshooting at tabletop airports, the country has witnessed several aviation tragedies over the decades.
Here is the chronology of India’s most catastrophic air accidents:
Air India Express Flight 1344 (2020)
The Air India Express Flight 1344, skidded off the runway while landing at Kozhikode International Airport on August 7, 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic. The flight was operating as part of the Vande Bharat repatriation mission. Owing to heavy rainfall, the aircraft overshot the wet tabletop runway and plunged into a valley and split into two. Of the 190 people on board, 21 passengers, including two pilots, had lost their lives in the incident.
Air India Express Flight 812 (2010)
While landing at the Mangaluru International Airport in Karnataka, Air India Express Flight 812 overshot the runway on May 22, 2010. The Boeing 737-800 flight had arrived from Dubai. It overshot the tabletop runway and crashed into a gorge, bursting into flames, killing 158 passengers. The devastating crash drew heightened attention to the safety of India’s tabletop airports and the procedures followed during landings in challenging weather conditions.
Alliance Air Flight 7412 (2000)
In a densely populated region of Patna, Bihar, an Alliance Air Flight 7412 crashed during an attempt to land, on July 17, 2000. The Boeing 737-200 experienced a stall because of low altitude and reported improper handling during the final landing. This accident claimed the lives of 60 passengers, including five on ground. The accident prompted upgrades to approach procedures at smaller urban airports.
Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision (1996)
On November 12, 1996, 349 people were killed in what became India's most devastating aviation disaster. The tragedy occurred when Saudia Flight 763, a Boeing 747, and Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907, an Ilyushin Il-76, collided mid-air near Charkhi Dadri in Haryana. The accident was the result of a communication failure and the Kazakh crew descending below their assigned altitude. Following the incident, India introduced significant aviation safety measures, including mandating the installation of Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) on all commercial aircraft.
Indian Airlines Flight 605 (1990)
The Indian Airlines Flight 605 crashed on February 14, 1990 while landing in Bengaluru's HAL Airport, killing 92 of the 146 people on board. The Airbus A320, a relatively new aircraft in India at the time, descended too low and hit the ground short of the runway, skidding onto a golf course. According to the investigation the pilot was unfamiliar with the updates digital cockpit of the A320 contributed to the tragic accident.
Indian Airlines Flight 113 (1988)
Owing to poor visibility the Indian Airlines Flight 113 crashed on October 19, 1988 while landing at Ahmedabad Airport. The crash claimed the lives of 133 passengers out of 135 people on board, of the flight arriving from Mumbai. Investigation revealed that the pilot miscalculate the landing due to inadequate weather information and procedural lapses by air traffic control.
Air India Flight 855 (1978)
The Dubai-bound Air India Flight 855 plunged into the Arabian Sea on January 1, 1978, shortly taking off from Mumbai, claiming the lives of 213 passengers on board. The crash occurred within 101 seconds after the flight took off when the caption misinterpreted the aircraft’s orientation due to faulty Attitude Director Indicator. The crash took place in nighttime conditions over the sea, contributing to the crew's spatial disorientation.
Indian Airlines Flight 440 (1973)
The Indian Airlines Flight 440 crashed on May 31, 1973 while landing at Delhi's Palam Airport. The Boeing 737-200 experienced severe weather and got struck by high-tension wires just short of the runway. 48 died out of the 65 passengers onboard. Among the dead was prominent Indian politician Mohan Kumaramangalam. The crash underscored the need for improved weather radar at Indian airports.
(With inputs from PTI)
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