Mumbai's Black Day: 213 Dead in 1978 Air India Emperor Ashoka Crash

• January 1, 1978, marks a tragic day in Mumbai's history, with 213 lives lost in an Air India plane crash.
• Air India's Boeing 747, "Emperor Ashoka," crashed into the Arabian Sea just 3 km off Mumbai's coast shortly after takeoff for Dubai.
• The flight carried 190 passengers and 23 crew members; there were no survivors despite extensive search efforts.
• Initially suspected as a conspiracy, investigations concluded the crash was due to a technical malfunction.
• The "Emperor Ashoka" was Air India's first Boeing 747 and part of its Maharaja-themed luxury fleet.

Why It Matters: January 1, 1978, saw 213 perish in the Air India Emperor Ashoka crash off Mumbai.