Tragedy struck on May 22, 2010, when Air India Express flight 812 exploded into flames upon landing at Mangalore International Airport in India. The flight carried 166 people, including 6 crew members and 160 passengers. Unfortunately, all 6 crew members and 152 passengers lost their lives in the crash, leaving only 8 survivors. This was the first and deadliest crash involving Air India Express.

Flight 812 departed from Dubai International Airport, heading to Mangalore International Airport. The crew consisted of a pilot, Captain Zlatko Glusica, a first officer, and four flight attendants. Mangalore International Airport is one of seven Indian airports classified as a “critical airfield,” which requires the pilot to navigate both takeoff and landing without assistance. Additionally, the airport features a “tabletop runway,” which demands precision during landing. All of these factors may have contributed to the disaster. 

There are many speculations regarding the circumstances surrounding this plane crash. Investigations have concluded that the ultimate cause was the pilot using what is referred to as an “unstabilized approach” during the landing. An unstabilized approach occurs when a plane is too high and too fast as it nears the runway. The pilot of flight 812 ignored three calls to initiate a “go around” to reduce speed and correct the approach. As a result, the plane overshot the runway, fell down a hill, and burst into flames. Additionally, there is speculation that the pilot may have fallen asleep during the flight.