In the 21st century, commercial aviation has generally become safer, yet serious air crashes still occur. Since 2000, over 100 significant Boeing aircraft accidents have been recorded worldwide.
Asia, home to some of the world’s busiest air routes, has seen a notable share of these incidents. Factors contributing to crashes in the region include weather, pilot error, and aging infrastructure. High-risk areas include Indonesia, India, and parts of Central Asia, which consistently appear in aviation safety reports.
1. Air India Boeing 787 Crash – Ahmedabad, India (2025)
A devastating crash occurred on June 12, 2025, involving an Air India Boeing 787-800. The aircraft crashed during landing at Ahmedabad airport. Out of the 242 passengers onboard, 241 perished, along with 38 people on the ground. Only one person survived. The crash remains one of the deadliest involving a Dreamliner and sparked significant safety reviews in India’s civil aviation sector.
2. China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737 Crash – Tengxian, China (2022)
#OTD in 2022: China Eastern Flight MU5735, a B-737, crashes in Tengxian (China), all 132 aboard die. Jet was enroute, at 29000 ft, when it entered a dive and hit ground in a near vertical altitude. Inquiry still ongoing, media reported possibility of an intentional nosedive. pic.twitter.com/45BCYViusF
— Air Safety #OTD by Francisco Cunha (@OnDisasters) March 20, 2023
On March 21, 2022, a Boeing 737-89P operated by China Eastern Airlines plunged into mountainous terrain in Tengxian. All 132 people aboard tragically lost their lives. No survivors were found. The crash stunned the Chinese aviation industry and led to widespread aircraft inspections and regulatory scrutiny across the country’s carriers.
3. Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737 Crash – Jakarta, Indonesia (2021)
On January 9, 2021, a Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737-524 lost contact minutes after takeoff from Jakarta. The aircraft plunged into the Java Sea, killing all 62 onboard. There were no survivors. Investigations pointed to mechanical issues and outdated flight control systems, raising concerns over aging aircraft used in regional fleets.
4. Air India Express Boeing 737 Crash – Kozhikode, India (2020)
A tragic runway overrun occurred on August 7, 2020, when a Boeing 737-8HG operated by Air India Express crashed during heavy rain in Kozhikode. The crash killed 17 of the 190 onboard. The flight was part of a repatriation mission during COVID-19. While most passengers survived, the accident highlighted safety challenges at tabletop runways in India.
5. Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737 Crash – Tehran, Iran (2020)
On January 8, 2020, a Boeing 737-8KV was shot down shortly after takeoff from Tehran by a missile. All 176 passengers and crew were killed. The incident occurred amid rising political tensions in the region. The crash caused global outrage and renewed discussions about operating civilian flights over conflict zones. No survivors.
6. Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX Crash – Bishoftu, Ethiopia (2019)
Though Ethiopia is in Africa, the crash had massive implications in Asia. The Boeing 737 MAX crash on March 10, 2019, killed all 157 onboard. Many Asian airlines suspended MAX operations following the incident. The tragedy, along with the Lion Air crash, led to a global grounding of the 737 MAX series.
7. Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX Crash – Off Jakarta, Indonesia (2018)
On October 29, 2018, Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea just 13 minutes after takeoff. All 189 people aboard the Boeing 737-800MAX died. The crash highlighted critical flaws in the aircraft’s MCAS system. No survivors were found. It was the first fatal incident involving the 737 MAX.
8. Air India Express Boeing 737 Crash – Mangalore, India (2010)
A catastrophic crash occurred on May 22, 2010, when a Boeing 737-8HG overshot the runway in Mangalore and burst into flames. Out of 166 people onboard, 158 were killed. Only 8 survived. The accident brought focus to challenges associated with tabletop airports and inadequate safety measures during adverse landing conditions.
9. Bhoja Air Boeing 737 Crash – Islamabad, Pakistan (2012)
On April 20, 2012, a Boeing 737-236 operated by Bhoja Air crashed during final approach amid bad weather in Islamabad. All 127 passengers perished. There were no survivors. The crash was attributed to a combination of pilot error and severe weather, leading to a revocation of Bhoja Air’s license.
10. Kam Air Boeing 737 Crash – Kabul, Afghanistan (2005)
On February 3, 2005, a Kam Air Boeing 737-242 crashed into mountainous terrain near Kabul amid heavy snow. All 104 onboard were killed. The crash marked one of Afghanistan’s worst aviation disasters and was blamed on poor weather and navigational challenges. No survivors were recovered from the wreckage.
11. Mandala Airlines Boeing 737 Crash – Medan, Indonesia (2005)
On September 5, 2005, a Boeing 737-230 crashed shortly after takeoff in Medan, Indonesia. Of the 117 onboard, 101 died, along with 47 people on the ground. Only 16 passengers survived. The aircraft struck a crowded street, making it one of the deadliest urban aviation accidents in Indonesia’s history.
12. Garuda Indonesia Boeing 737 Crash – Yogyakarta, Indonesia (2007)
On March 7, 2007, a Boeing 737-497 overran the runway at Yogyakarta Airport, bursting into flames. Of the 140 passengers, 23 were killed. The survivors included foreign diplomats. The incident led to widespread criticism of pilot training standards and resulted in significant changes to safety protocols in Indonesian aviation.
