On June 12, 2025, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing many of the 242 people onboard. Authorities said this was the worst aviation disaster in the world in the past ten years. The crash happened near the Meghaninagar area, close to BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital. The tragedy left hundreds dead, including passengers and local residents.
As search and rescue teams continue to recover bodies and investigate the cause, this crash now joins a list of the most devastating aviation disasters in recent memory. Over the past decade, there have been several other major crashes around the world—caused by mechanical failure, mid-air collisions, pilot error, or even missile strikes. Here is a look back at those events:
2025 – United States
On January 29, a regional American Airlines passenger jet collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Over 60 people died, making it one of the worst air accidents on American soil in recent years. The frigid conditions made rescue efforts difficult.
2024 – South Korea
On December 29, Jeju Air international flight 7C2216 crashed during landing at Muan International Airport, South Korea. All 175 passengers and four of the six crew members were killed. It was declared the deadliest air crash in South Korean aviation history. Investigators are still studying possible engine malfunction and runway issues.
2024 – Kazakhstan
On December 25, Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, an Embraer E190, was forced to divert from Russia due to bad weather. While landing in Kazakhstan, the plane crashed, killing 38 people. Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev later stated that the aircraft might have been accidentally shot at from the ground in Russia. However, Moscow has not confirmed this claim.
2024 – Japan
On January 2, a Japan Airlines (JAL) Airbus A350-941 carrying 379 passengers collided with a Coast Guard aircraft on the runway at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. While the JAL plane caught fire, all 379 people escaped safely, thanks to the quick evacuation. Sadly, five of six crew members on the Coast Guard plane were killed.
2022 – China
On March 21, China Eastern Airlines flight MU5735, a Boeing 737-800, crashed in a mountainous area in Guangxi, southern China. All 132 people on board died. It was the deadliest air crash in China in nearly three decades. Investigators found the plane had nosedived suddenly, and there were debates about whether it was due to mechanical error or pilot action.
2020 – Iran
On January 8, Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, a Boeing 737-800, was mistakenly shot down by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards shortly after takeoff from Tehran Airport. All 176 people on board died. Iran later admitted it was a “human error”, blaming a misaligned radar and panic during heightened military tensions with the United States.
2019 – Ethiopia
On March 10, an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa, en route to Nairobi. All 157 people on board died. This crash, along with a similar one in Indonesia months earlier, led to the global grounding of all Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for over a year due to safety concerns.
2018 – Indonesia
On October 29, a Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 took off from Jakarta and crashed into the Java Sea within minutes. All 189 people on board were killed. It was the first major accident involving the 737 MAX model, raising serious questions about Boeing’s automated flight control systems, which were later redesigned.
2014 – Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17
On July 17, Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, a Boeing 777, was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down over eastern Ukraine during fighting between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian rebels. All 298 passengers and crew died. An international investigation blamed Russian-backed separatists, though Russia denied involvement.
2014 – Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370
On March 8, Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, another Boeing 777, vanished while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The plane had 239 people on board. Despite global search efforts, the wreckage has never been found, making it one of the biggest mysteries in aviation history. Small debris pieces have been discovered off the African coast, but no conclusive evidence has revealed the cause or final location.
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These crashes, including the most recent one in Ahmedabad, underline the importance of strict safety protocols, air traffic control coordination, aircraft maintenance, and pilot training. In some cases, political conflict, human error, or flawed aircraft systems led to these deadly events.
The Boeing 737 MAX series, in particular, was grounded worldwide after two crashes, showing how even the most advanced aircraft can suffer from design flaws if safety checks are missed.
In the case of Ahmedabad, India has now witnessed one of its worst air disasters ever. While full investigation reports are awaited, authorities have already grounded similar aircraft and are conducting fleet-wide inspections. Rescue efforts are ongoing, and only one known survivor has been found so far.
As the world mourns, the memories of past crashes come back into public discussion—reminding everyone that air travel safety must never be taken lightly. Each crash also leaves behind lessons for the aviation industry to prevent similar disasters in the future.
The tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad has joined the long list of the world’s worst air disasters. From Iran and China to the U.S. and Malaysia, these incidents have claimed thousands of lives in the past decade. In every case, the common message is clear—aviation safety must be constantly reviewed, updated, and enforced.
For families of the victims, these crashes represent deep personal loss. For countries and governments, they are warnings to strengthen safety nets, improve emergency response, and ensure that history does not repeat itself.
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