India has witnessed several devastating plane crashes in the past year. The most catastrophic was the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad in June 2025, which killed 260 people. In January 2026, a political leader died in another crash. These tragedies have raised serious questions about aviation safety in one of the world’s fastest-growing air travel markets. This guide covers the major crashes, ongoing investigations and the political fallout from these disasters.
Air India Flight 124: The Ahmedabad Dreamliner Disaster (June 2025)
The worst aviation disaster in India since 1996 occurred on 12 June 2025. Air India Flight 124, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. The London-bound flight exploded into a fireball as it hit residential buildings near the airport .
The death toll reached 279 people, including 38 on the ground. Only one survivor was found out of 242 passengers and crew on board . Among the passengers were 169 Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese, one Canadian and 12 crew members . The crash marked the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft entered service in 2011 .
Air India Crash Investigation: Pilot Error or Electrical Failure?
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report in July 2025. The 15-page document revealed that fuel supply to the jet’s engines was cut off moments before impact. This raised immediate questions about possible pilot error .
However, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), which represents over 5,000 pilots, disputes this finding. In a letter to the aviation ministry dated 1 May 2026, the FIP suggested that electrical failure, not pilot action, could have caused the crash.
“A prelift-off electrical disturbance could have caused unintended relay operation and dual engine fuel cut-off without pilot input,” the letter states. The FIP argues that International Civil Aviation Organisation rules require all credible technical causes to be ruled out before blaming pilots. The final report is expected in June 2026, within a year of the disaster.
Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: Political Leader Dies in Baramati (28 January 2026)
On 28 January 2026, a Learjet 45 aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Baramati Airport in Maharashtra. The plane was carrying five people on board: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, his personal security guard, a flight attendant, the pilot and co-pilot. All five died .
The jet took off from Mumbai on a short charter flight. As it approached Baramati, the crew executed a go-around after reporting the runway was “not clearly visible”. During the second landing attempt, the plane lost control. Witnesses described the plane crashing into trees before bursting into flames. Four to five explosions followed the initial impact.
Local residents rushed toward the wreckage hoping to save lives, but intense fires made rescue impossible. Investigators recovered the black box within 24 hours.
Who Was Ajit Pawar? Political Fallout
Ajit Pawar, 66, was one of Maharashtra’s most powerful politicians. He served as Deputy Chief Minister of the state and had been elected to the state legislative assembly seven times . He was the nephew of Sharad Pawar, a legendary figure in Indian politics.
Ajit Pawar’s death sent shockwaves through Indian politics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, calling Pawar a “root-level people’s leader”. The crash also raised concerns about the safety of political leaders who rely on smaller charter aircraft for travel.
Controversy: Owner’s Son Found Napping in Cockpit
The crash investigation revealed a bizarre controversy. A video emerged showing Rohit Singh, the son of VSR Ventures owner VK Singh, sleeping in the cockpit of a Learjet aircraft. The footage was reportedly from a flight on the same day as the crash.
Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal expressed shock. “It is shocking that the owner of the company is sleeping in the cockpit,” he said. Bhujbal also questioned the official investigation report which claimed the aircraft hit trees before crashing. He noted that local witnesses had seen the plane crash in a field without hitting any trees.
Medical Air Ambulance Crash: 7 Dead in Jharkhand (23 February 2026)
Just weeks after the Baramati crash, another tragedy struck. On 23 February 2026, a medical air ambulance crashed in a forested area in Jharkhand state. The flight was transporting a burn victim from Ranchi to New Delhi when it encountered bad weather.
The pilot requested a route deviation due to weather conditions at 7:11 pm. The aircraft lost contact with ground control at 7:34 pm. It was later found crashed in dense forest. All seven people on board died: the burn patient, his wife and relative, a doctor, a nurse, and two pilots.
The burn patient was a 60% burn victim from an electrical accident. His family had borrowed money to pay for the air ambulance. The crash highlighted the dangers of medical evacuation flights in India, especially during adverse weather.
Swiss International Airlines Engine Fire in Delhi (25 April 2026)
On 25 April 2026, a Swiss International Airlines Airbus A330-343 narrowly avoided disaster. The plane was preparing for takeoff from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport to Zurich when an engine caught fire. The pilots aborted takeoff and evacuated the aircraft using emergency slides.
The plane carried 232 passengers and 13 crew members. Six passengers suffered minor injuries during evacuation but no lives were lost. Swiss Airlines planned to send technical experts from Switzerland to investigate the cause.
IndiGo Battery Fire: Latest Incident (5 May 2026)
In the most recent incident, an IndiGo flight from Hyderabad to Chandigarh experienced a battery fire. A personal electronic device caught fire after the aircraft had landed and was stationary. Passengers were evacuated using emergency slides. All passengers and crew were safe.
This incident has renewed focus on power bank and electronic device safety on aircraft. Several countries including India have recently restricted power bank usage on flights due to fire risks.
Why India’s Plane Crashes Are Trending in 2026
India’s aviation sector continues to dominate headlines for several reasons. The 2025 Air India Dreamliner crash remains under investigation with the final report expected soon. The death of a senior political leader raised questions about charter flight safety. The medical air ambulance crash highlighted gaps in emergency transport. Multiple engine fires and battery incidents have added to public concern.
India is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. But these crashes have exposed serious safety vulnerabilities. The final report into the Air India disaster may determine whether Boeing, the pilots, or maintenance failures bear responsibility. For the victims’ families, answers cannot come soon enough.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many plane crashes happened in India in 2025-2026?
Major crashes include the Air India Dreamliner crash (June 2025, 279 deaths), Ajit Pawar’s Learjet crash (January 2026, 5 deaths) and the medical air ambulance crash (February 2026, 7 deaths). Several other incidents involved engine fires with no fatalities.
What caused the Air India Dreamliner crash?
The cause is still under investigation. The preliminary report suggested fuel cut-off may have been due to pilot error. However, a pilot association has presented evidence suggesting electrical failure could be responsible.
Who died in the Baramati plane crash?
Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, along with the pilot, co-pilot, a flight attendant and his personal security guard.
How many people survived the Ahmedabad crash?
Only one person survived out of 242 passengers and crew. The survivor was pulled from the wreckage by rescue workers.
What is being done to improve aviation safety in India?
Airlines have restricted power bank usage on flights. The DGCA has ordered extended surveillance of Boeing 787 aircraft. The final Air India crash report is expected to recommend further safety measures.
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