India's Aviation Sector Marred By Tragedies: A Look At Recent Plane Crashes

New Delhi: India's aviation industry has been hit by a series of tragic incidents in recent times, raising fears about the safety and security of air travel in the country. The latest incident, involving an air ambulance crash in Jharkhand's Chatra district, which has reportedly claimed the lives of all 7 people onboard, including a critically ill patient, medical staff, and crew members, has further added another layer to the growing concerns. The deadly accident has once again spotlighted fears about the maintenance and operational standards of aircraft in India.

The crash, which occurred on Monday evening, is the latest in a string of tragic incidents that have marred India's aviation record. Earlier this year, a chartered plane carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed at Baramati Airport, killing all five people on board, including the Deputy CM himself. These incidents have raised questions about the effectiveness of safety protocols and regulatory oversight in the country's aviation sector.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated investigations into these incidents, but concerns continue to linger about the safety of air travel in India. The aviation industry has been claiming to make efforts to address these concerns, but the recent spate of crashes has dealt a massive blow to the sector's reputation.

In the past few weeks, there have been multiple incidents involving aircraft, including the recent crash of an air ambulance in Jharkhand.

Air Ambulance Crash In Jharkhand

India has witnessed a series of aviation accidents in recent times, pointing out the need for improved safety measures and protocols. One such incident occurred when an air ambulance operated by Redbird Airways crashed in Jharkhand's Chatra district, reportedly killing all 7 people on board.

The air ambulance, which was carrying a critically ill patient, a doctor, a paramedic, two attendants, and two pilots, lost contact with air traffic control shortly after taking off from Ranchi. The aircraft, a Beechcraft C90, crashed in a forest area near Simaria in Chatra District, with debris found scattered around the site. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incident.

Ajit Pawar’s Plane Deadly Crash

Another tragic aviation incident was the crash of a Learjet 45 aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on January 28, which killed all five people on board, including the Deputy CM.

According to officials, the aircraft, operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures, crashed during a second landing attempt at Baramati airport in Pune district due to poor visibility. The investigation is being led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducting a special audit of VSR Ventures. The preliminary report is expected to be released by February 28.

After the accident, Ajit Pawar's nephew, Rohit Pawar, has alleged irregularities in the maintenance of the aircraft, including the presence of extra fuel tanks and worn-out engines. He has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident.

Ahmedabad’s Air India Flight Crash Tragedy

Earlier, last year on June 12, a horrific plane crash occurred in Ahmedabad, when Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing around 260 people, including 19 on the ground. Among the casualties was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose body was identified by DNA.

The aircraft, bound for London Gatwick Airport, had 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The plane's fuel control switches mysteriously moved from ‘run’ to ‘cutoff’ position, causing both engines to shut down. The pilots attempted to recover, but it was too late.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the crash, with assistance from the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the US National Transportation Safety Board. The preliminary report suggested the fuel control switches were moved to the ‘cutoff’ position, but the reason is still unclear.

The sole survivor, Vishwaskumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national, was seated near an emergency exit and managed to escape the wreckage. He sustained injuries and is receiving treatment.

DGCA Initiates Audit

The government has initiated a nationwide inspection of around 400 uncontrolled airstrips to develop uniform operating standards and improve safety protocols. The DGCA has also begun audits of non-scheduled aircraft operators to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

The DGCA has initiated investigations into the Jharkhand air ambulance crash to ascertain the cause of the incident. The civil aviation authority is also reviewing safety protocols and regulations to ensure that air ambulances and other aircraft are operating safely. The incident has also outlined the need for improved training and maintenance standards.

Here's a list of plane crashes in India that occurred in 2025 and 2026:

• Air India Flight 171 Crash: A Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport on June 12, 2025 killing 241 people on board and 19 on the ground, with only one survivor.
• Tejas Fighter Jet Crash at Dubai Air Show: A Tejas fighter jet crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show on November 21, 2025 killing the pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal.
• IndiaOne Air Flight 102 Crash: A Cessna 208 made a forced landing near Rourkela on January 10, with one fatality and five survivors.
• Ajit Pawar Plane Crash: A chartered Learjet 45XR crashed at Baramati Airport in Maharashtra on January 28, killing all 5 people on board, including former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
• Ranchi-Delhi Air Ambulance Crash: A Redbird Airways Beechcraft C90 aircraft crashed in Jharkhand's Chatra district, reportedly killing all 7 people on board, including the patient, a doctor, a paramedic, two attendants, and two pilots.

Also Read | Jharkhand Air Ambulance Crash: Redbird Airways Plane Crashes In Chatra, No Survivors Reported