Fear travels faster than airplanes.

On June 12, 2025, tragedy struck. Air India Flight AI 171, en route to London Gatwick, crashed seconds after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad. The accident claimed the lives of 241 people on board—passengers and crew—and 19 individuals on the ground.

In the hours and days that followed, television screens lit up with expert analyses and heated debates. While some insights were valuable, much of it merely served to feed anxiety, both among seasoned travellers and the general public.

The Ripple Effect of a Crash

When such mishaps occur, they set off a domino effect across the aviation ecosystem. Authorities tighten checks and airlines enforce stricter adherence to procedures. In the days following the AI 171 crash, many flights were delayed, diverted, or even cancelled. Recent helicopter incidents only compounded the public’s growing unease.

These reactions are not just procedural—they are deeply psychological. Fear travels faster than airplanes.

Passenger Profiles

Following aviation accidents, travellers often fall into three categories:

The Stoics – the que sera sera kind. They acknowledge the incident, mourn the loss, and continue flying without visible hesitation.

The Escapists – those who vow never to board a flight again, unless absolutely necessary.

The Unsure – the ones caught in limbo, unsure whether to continue flying or retreat into fear.

A Peep into Passenger Psyches

Take for example July 4, 2025 Indigo Flight 6E 2258 from Delhi to Lucknow. It was delayed by over two hours due to a navigation system snag. As technicians worked to fix the issue, several passengers chose to disembark. Some left because their schedules were disrupted. Others simply couldn’t shake off their anxiety. Among them was a professor—perhaps someone who lectures on resilience. In contrast, an 85-year-old woman, bound for Ayodhya, stayed calm for a while—until she began chanting the Hanuman Chalisa, seeking comfort through faith.

Stories That Defy Logic

Aviation history is filled with eerie tales of missed flights and miraculous survivals.

In the early 1980s, a military Packet aircraft crashed during take-off in Agra, claiming the lives of 45 paratroopers, instructors, and crew. Squadron Leader (later AVM) D.K. Dhingra survived because he was held up in his office by a telephone call. Some others, too, missed the flight due to last-minute changes. Fate intervened.

Even in the case of AI 171, one man survived—Ramesh Viswash Kumar. He managed to walk away from the wreckage. Was it luck, chance, or destiny? It’s hard to say—but such stories shape the way we think about survival.

Air Warriors show the Way
Aircraft incidents and accidents are a part of life in the Air Force; a professional hazard. Sitting in my office in Tezpur, I had once seen two pilots punch out (eject) of a flamed out MiG aircraft seconds after take-off. It is customary for all the pilots of a unit to take to air immediately (as soon as possible) after a serious accident (unless there are strong reasons to ground the entire fleet) to keep up the spirit. Likewise, a mass jump follows a parachute accident. There is no scope for fear to set in.

A Lesson in Acceptance

A classic parable might help those grappling with post-crash anxiety:

A slave once ran to his master in Cairo, trembling with fear.
“Master,” he cried, “I saw Death today in the market. She stared at me and asked, ‘What are you doing here?’ I fear she has come for me. Please, I beg you, help me escape!”

The master gave him his finest horse and advised him to flee to Basra.

Later that evening, the master encountered Death and asked, “Why did you frighten my servant?”

Death replied calmly, “I was only surprised to see him in Cairo. You see, I have an appointment with him next week—in Basra.”

Sometimes, what we fear and try to avoid might be the very path we are destined to take. This isn’t to say we should be fatalistic—but it helps to recognize that some things lie beyond our control.

Trust, Caution, and Collective Responsibility

Aviation remains one of the safest modes of travel. Pilots are rigorously trained, technicians are meticulous, and air traffic controllers are highly competent professionals. Accidents, though tragic, are rare. They lead to introspection, investigation, and improvements in safety protocols.

As passengers, we can also contribute:

• Avoid carrying unaccounted or suspicious baggage.
• Follow crew instructions diligently.
• Switch off mobile devices when requested.
• Stay calm and respectful, even during delays or checks.

Let’s remember: behind every flight are thousands of hours of effort, layers of safety checks, and dedicated human beings who care about getting us safely to our destination.

Let’s fly safe. Fly wise. And above all—fly without fear.

Happy landings!