These flights are now noted as the two most devastating tragedies in aviation; the worst in India’s aviation history. Between Air India Ahmedabad AI 171 Crash and 1978 Emperor Ashoka 855 Crash; there are eerie parallels that have shocked those who are surviving members of the families of the 855 Crash.
Strange Parallels Between Air India Flight 855 (1978) and the 2025 Crash
Two of the worst aviation tragedies in Indian history, nearly 50 years apart, share disturbing similarities that raise questions about patterns, aviation safety, and fate.
Air India Flight 855 – 1978
- Date: January 1, 1978
- Aircraft: Boeing 747-237B “Emperor Ashoka” (VT-EBD)
- Route: Mumbai to Dubai
- Crash Details: Crashed into the Arabian Sea just 101 seconds after takeoff. All 213 on board died.
- Cause: Failure of the captain’s attitude indicator (AI) and the flight delay making it impossible for the pilot to see the horizon due to it being pitch black causing “realigning the plane” to plummet into the sea. The crew was unaware until it was too late. Black boxes recovered proving not pilot fault. Passenger list not revealed.
Air India Flight 171 – 2025
- Date: June 12, 2025
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB)
- Route: Ahmedabad to London Gatwick
- Crash Details: Crashed shortly after takeoff. Of 242 onboard, 241 died. Over 30 people also died on the ground. Only 1 survivor.
- Early Investigation: Suspected issues with engine thrust, flap settings, and landing gear retraction. Black boxes recovered. Full report pending.
Shared Themes and Eerie Similarities
| Feature | Flight 855 (1978) | Flight 171 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Crash Timing | Shortly after takeoff | Shortly after takeoff |
| Fatalities | All onboard (213) | 274+ (passengers and civilians) |
| Aircraft Type | Boeing 747 | Boeing 787 |
| Failure Type | Instrument malfunction | Suspected mechanical failure |
| Flight Phase | Initial climb | Initial climb |
Both flights crashed just moments after leaving the runway. One due to instrument failure, the other possibly from mechanical or procedural error. Both involved modern aircraft of their era, and both were high-capacity long-haul flights departing from India.
What Comes Next
- The 2025 crash marks the first fatal hull loss of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
- Investigations are underway by India’s AAIB with assistance from Boeing, GE, and global aviation authorities.
- Groundings or inspections of 787s are expected.
These tragedies show how the initial climb remains one of the most dangerous flight phases. Despite decades of technological progress, the smallest failures can still result in immense loss. Both disasters remind us of aviation’s fragility; and the importance of constant vigilance in system checks, corporate laziness, and engineering oversight.
MORE ABOUT THE FLIGHTS
AIR INDIA 855: On January 1, 1978, Air India Flight 855, operating a Boeing 747-237B named Emperor Ashoka, departed Mumbai (then Bombay) bound for Dubai. Less than two minutes after takeoff, the aircraft descended into the Arabian Sea, just off the coast of Santacruz Airport, with all 213 people on board—190 passengers and 23 crew—perishing. Investigators concluded the crash resulted from spatial disorientation following an instrument failure; the captain became confused about the aircraft’s attitude (pitch/bank), leading to loss of control. It remains one of India’s deadliest air disasters.
AIR INDIA AI 171: On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner (registration VT‑ANB), crashed just ~30 seconds after departing Ahmedabad for London Gatwick. The jet, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew, issued a Mayday shortly after takeoff, reached only ~230 ft above ground, then plummeted into a hostel building at B.J. Medical College in Meghani Nagar. The crash killed 241 on board, plus at least 33 on the ground—making it the first fatal crash involving a 787 and one of the worst in recent history. Miraculously, one passenger (seat 11A) survived, escaping the wreckage. Investigators have recovered both flight recorders and are probing possible causes like engine thrust anomalies, flap/landing-gear errors, bird strikes, or maintenance issues, with final findings expected in about a year. Interim actions include enhanced inspections of Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet.
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