The recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has once again brought the spotlight back on civil aviation safety in India. The last major aviation tragedy before this occurred in 2020 at Calicut, where 21 people lost their lives. Here&rsquo;s a look at some of the most devastating civilian aircraft accidents in Indian aviation history:
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August 7, 2020 &ndash; Calicut (Kozhikode) Air Crash: Air India Express Flight 1344 from Dubai crashed during landing at Calicut International Airport. The aircraft skidded off a rain-soaked runway and broke into two, resulting in 21 fatalities.
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May 22, 2010 &ndash; Mangalore Air Crash: Air India Express Flight 812 overshot the runway at Mangalore and plunged into a gorge. The crash claimed 158 lives, making it one of India&rsquo;s deadliest air disasters.
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July 17, 2000 &ndash; Patna Air Crash: Alliance Air Flight 7412, a Boeing 737, crashed while attempting to land at Patna Airport. Pilot error led to a loss of control, killing over 60 people.
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November 12, 1996 &ndash; Charkhi Dadri Mid-Air Collision: In India&rsquo;s worst aviation disaster, a Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747 collided mid-air with a Kazakhstan Airlines Ilyushin Il-76 near Delhi. All 349 people aboard both aircraft died due to pilot error and miscommunication with air traffic control.
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April 26, 1993 &ndash; Aurangabad Air Crash: Indian Airlines Flight 491, a Boeing 737, crashed after takeoff from Aurangabad. It hit a truck and power lines during ascent, resulting in 55 deaths.
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August 16, 1991 &ndash; Imphal Air Crash: Indian Airlines Flight 257 crashed into a hillside near Imphal. All 69 people on board were killed.
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February 14, 1990 &ndash; Bangalore Air Crash: Indian Airlines Flight 605, an Airbus A320, crashed while approaching Bangalore Airport, killing 92 people.
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October 19, 1988 &ndash; Ahmedabad Air Crash: Indian Airlines Flight 113 crashed while approaching Ahmedabad airport, claiming 133 lives.
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June 21, 1982 &ndash; Bombay Air Crash: Air India Flight 403 crashed during landing at Bombay Airport, killing 17 passengers.
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January 1, 1978 &ndash; Bombay Air Crash: Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747, crashed into the Arabian Sea shortly after takeoff from Mumbai. All 213 people on board died in the tragedy.
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These incidents underscore the critical need for rigorous safety protocols and technological upgrades in the civil aviation sector.

From Charkhi Dadri to Calicut, a look at India's major aviation disasters and safety concerns

10 Deadliest Civil Plane Crashes in India

From Charkhi Dadri to Calicut, a look at India's major aviation disasters and safety concerns

June 12, 2025 | 16:14 IST