The Unbroken: 3 Air India Disasters And The Haunting Stories Of The Survivors

The legacy of Air India's worst aviation tragedies is not just a tale of loss, but a profound narrative of survival against impossible odds, a story that continues to evolve in the present day. As of late 2025, the focus remains sharply on the long-term psychological and physical toll borne by the few who miraculously walked away from catastrophic crashes, and the families who are the enduring "survivors" of the deadliest act of aviation terrorism in history. This article delves into the updated and deeply personal accounts from the three most significant incidents, revealing the resilience and ongoing struggle of those left behind. The stories of those who survived are not merely historical footnotes; they are ongoing sagas of trauma, recovery, and advocacy, providing a crucial, up-to-date perspective on disaster management and the human spirit. The details of their escapes—often involving split-second decisions and sheer luck—have become vital lessons in aviation safety and emergency preparedness.

Biography of Resilience: Key Air India Disaster Survivors

This section details the individuals whose lives were forever altered by the Air India disasters, focusing on those who have recently shared their experiences or have become public figures in the wake of the tragedy.

• Joel D'Souza: A survivor of Air India Express Flight 812 (2010), D'Souza was one of the first to escape the burning wreckage. His story is often cited as a testament to the importance of quick thinking and seat selection in a crash. He has been vocal in recent years about the long-term mental health impact of the event.
• Junaid (Last Name Unknown): A survivor of Air India Express Flight 1344 (2020) at Kozhikode. Junaid was reportedly seated in the rear of the aircraft and was among those who managed to walk away from the fuselage after the plane broke apart. His account highlights the chaos and immediate aftermath of the tabletop runway crash.
• Susheel Gupta: Not a plane survivor, but a prominent "survivor of grief" from Air India Flight 182 (1985) Kanishka Bombing. His mother, Ramwati Gupta, was killed in the attack. Susheel, who was 12 at the time, has dedicated his career to counterterrorism and has been a leading voice for the victims' families, particularly as the 40th anniversary approaches in 2025.
• Professor Mahesh Chandra Sharma: Another family member affected by the Kanishka bombing. He lost family in the tragedy and has since been recognized in Canada for his efforts in memorializing the victims and his work as an Indo-Canadian academic.

The Miracle of Mangalore: Air India Express Flight 812 (2010)

On May 22, 2010, Air India Express Flight 812 from Dubai overshot the tabletop runway at Mangalore International Airport (Bajpe), plunging into a valley and bursting into flames. Of the 166 people on board, only eight passengers survived the catastrophic event, making their accounts some of the most harrowing and unique in aviation history. The survivors' stories are a crucial reminder of the thin line between life and death in a major crash. Joel D'Souza, for instance, has recounted the terrifying moment the aircraft hit the ground and the immediate rush to escape the rapidly spreading fire. His decision to jump out of a broken section of the fuselage and run for his life was a split-second act of self-preservation that saved him. Survivors of the Mangalore crash have recently shared their long-term struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the persistent fear of flying. Their testimony emphasizes that survival is not an end but the beginning of a new, often painful, journey. The incident remains a key case study in the dangers of tabletop runways and the challenges of evacuation in a remote crash site.

Kozhikode and the Vande Bharat Mission: Air India Express Flight 1344 (2020)

The most recent major Air India disaster with survivors occurred on August 7, 2020, when Air India Express Flight 1344 from Dubai skidded off the runway at Karipur Airport in Kozhikode, Kerala. This flight was part of the Vande Bharat Mission, a government effort to repatriate Indian citizens stranded abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic. The crash tragically killed 19 people, including both pilots, but a remarkable 165 passengers survived the accident. The high number of survivors is attributed to the plane not catching fire immediately upon breaking apart, which allowed passengers in the rear to escape. Eyewitness accounts from survivors like Junaid describe the plane swaying violently before the crash and the immediate, desperate scramble to get out. Many passengers, though alive, suffered severe injuries, including spinal fractures and head trauma. A year after the crash, survivors reported battling significant emotional and financial trauma, with many still requiring physical and psychological support. The Kozhikode incident serves as a modern example of mass-casualty survival, where the focus shifts from immediate escape to long-term recovery and rehabilitation.

The Kanishka Bombing: Survivors of Grief (Air India Flight 182, 1985)

Air India Flight 182, known as the Emperor Kanishka, exploded over the Atlantic Ocean on June 23, 1985, due to a bomb planted by Khalistani extremists. The bombing, which killed all 329 people on board, remains the worst act of aviation terrorism in Canadian history and one of the world’s deadliest. Crucially, there were no survivors of the Kanishka bombing. The story of survival, in this context, belongs entirely to the families—the survivors of grief. As the 40th anniversary approaches in 2025, the families remain the most vocal entity in demanding justice and recognition. Susheel Gupta, whose mother was killed, has been a tireless advocate, working in counterterrorism and urging the Canadian government to do more to acknowledge the tragedy. His work and the ongoing efforts of other family members keep the memory of the victims alive and ensure the bombing remains a relevant political and social issue. The enduring pain of these families highlights a different form of survival: the decades-long battle for accountability, the fight against forgetting, and the struggle to live a meaningful life after losing everything to an act of hatred. Their resilience is a powerful, though painful, counterpoint to the physical miracles of the other crashes.

The Lasting Impact: PTSD, Compensation, and Accountability

The cumulative experiences of the Air India survivors, both on the planes and on the ground, point to a critical need for comprehensive, long-term support. Survivors from the 2010 and 2020 crashes often speak about the profound and debilitating effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The simple act of flying, or even loud noises, can trigger flashbacks and panic attacks, making a return to normalcy a constant uphill battle. Furthermore, the fight for appropriate compensation and accountability from the airline and government bodies often adds to the survivors' trauma. The legal battles and bureaucratic delays become a second, exhausting ordeal. The stories, whether of the eight who escaped the fiery valley in Mangalore or the 165 who walked away from the broken fuselage in Kozhikode, are a powerful, modern testament to the sheer unpredictability of aviation disasters and the extraordinary will of the human spirit to endure.