On August 7, 2020, Air India Express Flight 1344, a Boeing 737-800, tragically crashed while landing at Calicut International Airport in Kerala, India. This flight was part of the Vande Bharat Mission, which aimed to repatriate Indian citizens who had been stranded in Dubai due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There were 190 people on board, including both passengers and crew members who had been anxious to return home. The pilots made two attempts to land the plane, but they had to abort these attempts because of heavy rain and strong tailwinds, which made the landing very difficult. On the third attempt, the aircraft successfully touched down on runway 10 but unfortunately skidded off the end of the tabletop runway. This design, which is raised and includes a steep slope at the end, caused the plane to slide down a 9 to 10.5 meter (30 to 35 feet) drop. In total, 21 people lost their lives in this accident, including both of the pilots. While it is fortunate that 165 people survived, many suffered injuries, and some had serious conditions. This incident marked the second fatal accident for Air India Express, following a previous crash in 2010 that had also shocked the nation. The crash raised concerns about aviation safety in India, especially during adverse weather conditions, and led to discussions about improve measures for better flight safety.
B1 · Intermediate · 227 words · ~1 min
Word notebook · B1
Tap a highlighted word in the text, or study the list below.
- repatriate
- to bring someone back to their country of origin
- aborted
- stopped before completion
- tailwinds
- winds that blow in the same direction as the plane, helping it to land
- tabletop
- a runway that is raised above the surrounding area
- skidded
- slid uncontrollably, often due to slippery conditions
- serious conditions
- health problems that may require urgent medical care
- aviation safety
- measures to protect people while flying
Comprehension check · B1
Finished reading? See how much stuck.
1.What was the purpose of Air India Express Flight 1344?
2.How many people survived the crash of Flight 1344?
3.What significant issue did the crash raise discussions about?
















































