The Air India Tragedy of 1966 on Mont Blanc

On January 24, 1966, Air India Flight 101, a Boeing 707 named “Kanchenjunga,” tragically crashed into Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps, claiming the lives of all 117 passengers and crew onboard. The flight was en route from Bombay (now Mumbai) to London Heathrow Airport, with a scheduled stopover in Geneva.

The disaster occurred as the aircraft was descending towards Geneva Airport. Investigators concluded that the crash was primarily caused by a navigational error on the part of the pilots, compounded by misunderstandings with air traffic control. The pilots, believing they had passed Mont Blanc, began their descent prematurely in dense cloud cover. Communication challenges also played a role; at the time, navigation relied heavily on VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) signals, which could be susceptible to interference in mountainous terrain.

The impact was catastrophic. The aircraft struck the Roches Rouges glacier at an altitude of approximately 15,500 feet (4,724 meters), disintegrating upon impact. Due to the extreme conditions and the remote, hazardous location of the crash site, recovery efforts were arduous and prolonged. The wreckage and remains were scattered across the glacier, slowly becoming entombed in ice and snow. Subsequent glacial movement has continued to reveal debris and remains over the decades.

Among the passengers were prominent Indian nuclear physicist Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, often considered the “father of the Indian nuclear program,” and several crew members. The loss of Dr. Bhabha was a significant blow to India’s scientific community. The crash sparked widespread grief and raised serious questions about the safety of air travel in mountainous regions.

The Air India crash of 1966 remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents to have occurred in the Alps. It prompted a review of navigational procedures and air traffic control practices, particularly in mountainous areas. This disaster led to improvements in radar technology and communication protocols, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future. The event is a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with aviation and the importance of vigilance and precision in air navigation.

Even today, over half a century later, the melting glaciers continue to yield remnants of the Air India Flight 101. These grim discoveries serve as a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the enduring impact of this tragic event.