1985-06-23
Air India
Flight AI182
Departure
Toronto Pearson International Airport, Toronto, Canada
Destination
Heathrow Airport, London, United Kingdom
Causation Breakdown
Recurrence Likelihood Today
Low
Positive passenger-baggage reconciliation and universal baggage screening have significantly raised the barrier to checked-baggage bombing. Intelligence sharing and pre-boarding security have been greatly expanded. However, determined state-sponsored or well-resourced terrorist actors with insider access remain a persistent threat to aviation security.
Summary
Air India Flight 182 was the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history and the deadliest aviation bombing before 9/11. Among the 329 victims were 82 children. The bomb was traced to Canadian Sikh militants, but a concurrent device detonated at Tokyo's Narita Airport before it could be loaded, killing two baggage handlers. Despite CSIS intelligence warnings, a chain of security and intelligence failures allowed the plot to succeed. The trial of the main suspect ended in acquittal in 2005.
Cause & Investigation
Determined cause
Terrorist bombing
A bomb concealed in a suitcase in the forward cargo hold exploded at 31,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean southwest of Ireland. The aircraft broke apart in the air. The device was planted by Sikh militants opposing the Indian government, in retaliation for the Indian Army's 1984 assault on the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Investigation body
Canadian Aviation Safety Board (CASB); RCMP; later the Commission of Inquiry into the Investigation of the Bombing of Air India Flight 182 (Canada, 2010).
Timeline & Safety Improvements
Flight AI182 disaster
Boeing 747-237B operating for Air India. 329 fatalities, 0 survivors.
Formal investigation opened
Conducted by: Canadian Aviation Safety Board (CASB); RCMP; later the Commission of Inquiry into the Investigation of the Bombing of Air India Flight 182 (Canada, 2010).
Cause determined: Terrorist bombing
A bomb concealed in a suitcase in the forward cargo hold exploded at 31,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean southwest of Ireland. The aircraft broke apart in the air. The device was planted by Sikh militants opposing the Indian government, in retaliation for the Indian Army's 1984 assault on the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Improvement implemented
Positive passenger-baggage reconciliation became mandatory — no bag may fly without its owner on board.
Improvement implemented
X-ray screening of all checked baggage was significantly expanded globally.
Improvement implemented
ICAO adopted Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for aviation security.
Improvement implemented
Canadian intelligence-sharing and counter-terrorism protocols underwent major reform following the 2010 inquiry.
Improvement implemented
Interline baggage transfer security procedures were tightened across all ICAO member states.