Fireball In Sky, Loud Explosion Follows: India’s First Aircraft Crash In 1937
88 years ago, Datia in Madhya Pradesh witnessed India's first plane crash. An Air France Potez-62 en route from Hanoi to Paris caught fire mid-air and crashed, killing all seven on board
In a shocking incident that took place 88 years ago, Datia in Madhya Pradesh was the site of a tragic event that filled the entire city with panic. Everything seemed normal until a few seconds before a sudden event in the sky caught everyone’s attention.
A large ball of fire appeared in the sky, rapidly moving towards the outskirts of Datia, causing a stir throughout the city. Before anyone could comprehend the situation, a loud explosion followed by screams filled the air.
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This unprecedented incident marked the country’s first plane crash. The aircraft involved was Air France’s Potez-62 passenger plane, en route from Hanoi, Vietnam, to Paris. Given the limited range of planes at that time, the flight included several stops, with the fateful leg being from Prayagraj to Jodhpur.
On January 19, 1937, the aircraft was flying over the Datia area with seven people on board, including three crew members and four passengers.
Suddenly, the plane caught fire mid-air. By the time the captain realised the situation, the entire aircraft had turned into a fireball. The fire caused all the plane’s systems to fail, and it plummeted rapidly towards the ground. Moments later, the aircraft crashed with a loud explosion, resulting in the death of everyone on board.
The absence of a black box at that time meant the exact cause of the crash remained unknown. However, investigations suggested that a technical fault caused the wooden and metal plane to catch fire, leading to the tragic accident.
Local administration and police quickly responded to the scene, where they, with the help of local residents, managed to extinguish the fire. The sight that followed left everyone deeply shaken. This harrowing event left a lasting impact on Datia and the entire nation, highlighting the vulnerability of early aviation technology.
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