Is Air Travel Safe?
Yes, air travel remains statistically the safest mode of transportation. In 2024, the global accident rate was 0.80 per million flights, with fatal accidents being extremely rare. Aircraft undergo rigorous maintenance, and pilots are trained to handle a wide range of emergencies. However, when accidents do occur, they often lead to significant improvements in safety protocols.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: What Happened?
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, en route to London Gatwick.
Key Details:
- Time of crash: ~1:38 PM IST
- Location: Meghani Nagar, near B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad
- Occupants: 242 (230 passengers, 12 crew)
- Fatalities: Over 200 confirmed; only one known survivor
- Aircraft age: 12 years (entered service in 2014)
- Cause: Under investigation; early signs suggest flap or landing gear malfunction 1
What Happened:
- The aircraft issued a mayday call at around 625 feet altitude.
- It crashed into a densely populated area, hitting a doctor’s hostel and causing a massive explosion.
- The plane was fully fueled for the long-haul flight, intensifying the fire.
- Over 60 medical students on the ground were injured.
- Emergency services responded swiftly, and a state of emergency was declared in Gujarat 1.
This is the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 since its introduction in 2011, raising serious concerns about aircraft systems and maintenance protocols.
Could This Have Been Avoided?
Possibly. While the investigation is ongoing, early indicators suggest a mechanical failure. If a known issue was overlooked or not reported, it could have been preventable. This highlights the need for real-time monitoring and better reporting mechanisms.
Should There Be an Official Passenger Reporting Channel?
Yes, and urgently so.
Why?
- Passengers often notice unusual sounds, smells, or vibrations that may not be immediately visible to crew.
- Currently, many report such issues on Twitter/X, which is not an official or timely channel.
Proposed Solution:
- In-flight digital reporting system: Accessible via onboard Wi-Fi or airline app.
- Post-flight review: All reports reviewed by ground engineers before the next flight.
- Transparency: Passengers receive confirmation and follow-up.
This would create a proactive safety net and reduce reliance on social media for critical safety concerns.
Best Area for AI Development in Aviation Safety
AI can revolutionize aviation safety by enabling predictive maintenance and anomaly detection.
Key AI Applications:
- Real-time aircraft health monitoring: AI can analyze sensor data to detect early signs of mechanical issues.
- Flight data analysis: AI can review black box and telemetry data to identify patterns leading to near-misses or failures.
- Passenger feedback analysis: Natural language processing (NLP) can analyze structured and unstructured feedback for safety signals.
- Maintenance optimization: AI can predict component failures and recommend preemptive replacements.
- Automated safety audits: AI can cross-check maintenance logs, flight reports, and sensor data for inconsistencies.
Are Such Systems Already in Use?
Yes, but not universally or comprehensively:
- GE Aviation and Rolls-Royce use AI for engine health monitoring.
- Airbus’ Skywise and Boeing’s AnalytX platforms use big data and AI for fleet management.
- However, passenger-driven reporting systems and AI-based pre-flight safety audits are still underdeveloped.
This is a prime opportunity for top IT firms like Microsoft, Google, IBM, and TCS to collaborate with aviation regulators and manufacturers to build AI-powered safety ecosystems.
Top 5 Air Crashes That Changed Aviation
- Tenerife Airport Disaster (1977)
- Fatalities: 583
- Change: Standardized cockpit communication (CRM)
- Air India Flight 182 (1985)
- Fatalities: 329
- Change: Enhanced baggage screening and anti-terrorism protocols
- Pan Am Flight 103 (1988)
- Fatalities: 270
- Change: International aviation security overhaul
- Air France Flight 447 (2009)
- Fatalities: 228
- Change: Pilot training for automation failures and stall recovery
- Malaysia Airlines MH370 (2014)
- Fatalities: 239 (presumed)
- Change: Global aircraft tracking mandates
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