Air travel is considered the safest mode of transportation, yet the death toll from crashes can be alarming. The question arises: Are more lives lost in plane or helicopter crashes? Data from the last five years (2021-2025) reveals that while plane crashes cause more total fatalities due to carrying more passengers, helicopter crashes are more dangerous per flight hour.
Five Famous Indian Personalities Lost in Plane Crashes
Sanjay Gandhi (1980) – Congress leader, perished in a Pitts S-2A plane crash in Delhi.
Madhavrao Scindia (2001) – Congress leader and former Civil Aviation Minister, died in a private plane crash en route to Kanpur.
Vijay Rupani (2025) – Former Chief Minister of Gujarat, lost his life in the crash of Air India Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London.
Homi Jehangir Bhabha (1966) – Father of India's nuclear program, died in the crash of Air India Flight 101 at Mont Blanc, Switzerland.
Ajit Pawar (2026) – Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, lost in a chartered plane crash in Baramati.
Read: The Haunting Tale of Ahmedabad Air Crash – An Exclusive Report from Ground Zero
Source: aajtak
Five Notable Indian Figures Lost in Helicopter Crashes
General Bipin Rawat (2021) – India's first Chief of Defense Staff, died in a Mi-17V5 helicopter crash in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.
Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR) (2009) – Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, died in a Bell 430 helicopter crash in the Nallamala Forest.
GMC Balayogi (2002) – Lok Sabha Speaker and TDP leader, died in a private helicopter crash in Andhra Pradesh.
Dorjee Khandu (2011) – Former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, lost in a Pawan Hans helicopter crash.
O.P. Jindal (2005) – Haryana minister and industrialist, perished in a helicopter crash in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, alongside Surendra Singh.
Plane vs. Helicopter (2021-2025)
Plane Crash Fatalities:
Over the past five years worldwide, plane crashes have claimed over 1,000 lives. In 2025 alone, there were 548 deaths, of which 418 were associated with planes. 2024 saw 332, while 2023 had 78, and 2022 had 210. Generally, plane crashes cause more deaths as they carry 100-500 passengers.
Helicopter Crash Fatalities:
Helicopter-related deaths were lower—approximately 100-200 between 2021-2025. 2024 recorded 22 (Vityaz-Aero), while 2025 had 3 (Potomac River). Fewer deaths overall, as helicopters are smaller, carrying 5-20 people.
How Huge is the Difference?:
Plane crashes lead to 10-20 times more fatalities (1038 vs. over 25 reported). Yet, the fatal accident rate is higher for helicopters—offshore helicopters report 1.47 per million sectors, compared to 0.18 for fixed-wing planes. Thus, helicopter crashes are 8 times more fatal per flight. In 2024, helicopter crash rates reached 0.44 per 100,000 flight hours and are on the rise.
Source: aajtak
Why are Helicopter Crashes More Fatal?
Helicopters are riskier than planes because...
Lack of Gliding Capability: Unlike planes, which can glide in case of engine failure, helicopters cannot. Autorotation is a challenging maneuver.
Numerous Moving Parts: Helicopters have multiple components like rotors, tail rotors, and gearboxes that are prone to failure, unlike planes.
Low-Flying Risks: Helicopters fly lower, increasing the risk of collisions with trees, wires, and buildings. Planes fly higher, avoiding such obstacles.
Weather Vulnerability: Helicopters are more affected by adverse weather conditions (fog, storms), leading to pilot disorientation. Planes have better instruments.
Maintenance and Pilot Error: Helicopter maintenance is complex, and 70% of crashes are due to pilot fatigue or training deficiencies.
Electrical Failure: In helicopters, control can be lost if the electrical system fails.
Major Plane Crashes in the Last 5 Years
Air India Flight 171 (2025, Ahmedabad, India): 242 passengers+crew, 241 deaths +19 on the ground. Boeing 737. Cause: Engine failure. Fatalities mainly passengers.
Jeju Air Flight (2024, South Korea): 179 deaths. Boeing 737. Cause: Landing failure. All passengers perished.
Azerbaijan Airlines (2024): 38 deaths. Cause: Crash landing.
Voepass Flight (2024, Brazil): 62 deaths. ATR-72 plane. Cause: Engine failure.
Potomac River Mid-Air Collision (2025, US): 67 deaths (CRJ700 plane). Cause: Collision with helicopter.
China Eastern Flight 5735 (2022): 133 deaths. Boeing 737. Cause: Possible intentional crash?
Yeti Airlines (2023, Nepal): 72 deaths. ATR-72. Cause: Engine failure.
Read: What Caused General Bipin Rawat's Helicopter Mishap?
Major Helicopter Crashes in the Last 5 Years
Iranian President Helicopter Crash (2024): 9 deaths, including President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Bell 212. Cause: Bad weather.
Vityaz-Aero Mi-8 (2024, Russia): 22 deaths. Cause: Crash.
Hudson River Crash (2025, New York): 6 deaths. Cause: Mid-air collision.
CDS Bipin Rawat Crash (2021, India): 14 deaths, including Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and 12 soldiers. Mi-17. Cause: Pilot error, weather.
Ukraine Helicopter Crash (2023): 14 deaths, including the Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi.
US Marine Crash (2023): 5 deaths. CH-53E. Cause: Pilot error, weather.
Kamchatka Mi-8 (2024, Russia): 8 deaths. Cause: Crash.
