Air India Flight 182 – Atlantic Bombing
Date of Incident: June 23, 1985
Location: Atlantic Ocean, 190 km southwest of Ireland
🧭 What Happened
Flight AI-182 was a scheduled international service from Toronto to Mumbai via Montreal, London, and Delhi. While cruising at 31,000 feet over the Atlantic, a bomb hidden in checked luggage detonated, causing the Boeing 747 to disintegrate mid-air. All 329 onboard were killed, making it the deadliest aviation terrorist attack prior to 9/11.
✈️ Aircraft Details
Flight Number: AI-182
Aircraft Type: Boeing 747-237B
Registration: VT-EFO ("Emperor Kanishka")
Departure: Toronto Pearson (YYZ)
Stopovers: Montreal (YMX), London (LHR), Delhi (DEL)
Destination: Mumbai (BOM)
Fatalities: All 329 onboard
Survivors: 0
🔍 Key Factors
The bomb was placed in an unaccompanied suitcase originating from Vancouver. It was transferred via Canadian Pacific Air Lines to Air India without proper screening. A second bomb intended for Flight 301 exploded prematurely at Tokyo’s Narita Airport, killing two baggage handlers. Both bombs were traced to Sikh extremists in Canada.
📆 Timeline of Events
- 02:18 UTC – Flight departs Montreal for London
- 07:14 UTC – Bomb detonates at FL310 over Atlantic
- 07:15 UTC – Aircraft disintegrates mid-air
- 07:30 UTC – Radar contact lost; emergency declared
- 08:00 UTC – Search and recovery begins off Irish coast
- 08:05 UTC – Flight 301 departs Tokyo (bomb failed to transfer)
🎙️ Cockpit Voice & Flight Data
“Air India 182 Shanwick position is 51N 20W at 0643 level 310…” — Final ATC transmission
“Dinshaw, do me a small favour…” — Last recorded cockpit conversation
The CVR captured routine communications until 07:14 UTC, when the recording abruptly ended. The CVR and FDR were recovered from the seabed at a depth of 6,700 ft. The transcript reveals no warning or distress call.
⚙️ Aircraft Systems & Failures
- Explosion occurred in forward cargo hold
- Rapid decompression and structural breakup
- Tail section separated before impact
- No mechanical failure prior to explosion
🛡️ Aftermath and Reforms
- Canadian Aviation Safety Board confirmed bombing as cause
- Commission of Inquiry (Justice John Major) cited systemic failures
- CSIS and RCMP criticized for lack of coordination
- Passenger-baggage reconciliation protocols revised
- Memorials erected in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Ahakista (Ireland)