As the world mourns the passengers and crew of AI171, this moment brings back haunting memories of some of the deadliest air crashes in recent years, from planes disappearing into thin air to shocking mid-air collisions. Here’s a look back at the tragedies that shook global aviation before AI171.
2025: Two Major Tragedies
USA: On 29 January, an American Airlines regional jet collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington D.C., killing over 60 people. The wreckage landed in the icy Potomac River, adding to rescue difficulties.
India: Air India Flight AI171 crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing many of the 242 people on board. Investigations are ongoing.
2024: A Devastating Year for Aviation
South Korea: Jeju Air’s Flight 7C2216 crashed while landing at Muan International Airport on 29 December, killing 179 people. It was South Korea’s worst-ever air disaster.
Kazakhstan: On 25 December, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243 went down after a suspected accidental shooting while diverted to Kazakhstan. Thirty-eight lives were lost.Japan: On 2 January, a Japan Airlines plane hit a Coast Guard aircraft on Tokyo’s Haneda runway. While all 379 passengers escaped, five of six Coast Guard crew died.
2022: Tragedy in China
China: A China Eastern Airlines flight crashed into the mountains of Guangxi on 21 March, killing all 132 on board. It became China’s worst aviation tragedy in 28 years.
2020: Shot Down by Mistake
Iran: A Ukraine International Airlines jet was accidentally shot down by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on 8 January, killing all 176 people aboard. A misaligned radar and human error were blamed.
2019–2018: Boeing 737 MAX Crashes
Ethiopia (2019): Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET302 crashed soon after takeoff from Addis Ababa, killing all 157 people.
Indonesia (2018): Lion Air Flight JT610 crashed into the Java Sea, killing all 189 on board.
Both involved the Boeing 737 MAX, leading to a worldwide grounding of the aircraft model.
2014: The Malaysia Airlines Double Blow
MH17: Shot down over Ukraine on 17 July, killing all 298 on board.
MH370: Vanished on 8 March with 239 people on board. Despite years of search efforts, the aircraft has never been found.