Posted: Tuesday, 10 March 2026 , 7:39 pm | Dubai
The Air India Express Karipur plane scrap has finally reached its last destination, marking a somber end to a tragic piece of aviation history that shook the nation. To understand the details of this final transition from a vessel of the skies to a scrap yard in Palakkad, Kerala, let us explore more.
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Air India Express Karipur plane scrap; A Tragic Chapter Ends in Pattambi Scrap yard
The final remains of the ill-fated Boeing 737 from the 2020 Karipur crash are now being dismantled at a scrap yard in Kerala.
The 2020 aviation disaster in Kerala (india) remains one of the most painful memories for the region. Recently, the physical evidence of that tragedy, the Air India Express Karipur plane scrap, was moved to a recycling facility in Pattambi. This event signifies the formal closing of the legal and emotional investigations surrounding the crash.
The Final Journey to the Pattambi Scrap Yard
The logistics and process of moving the aircraft remains from Calicut International Airport to a private scrap dealer.
After years of being stored under heavy security for investigation, the aircraft was auctioned off by Air India. The Karipur plane scrap was transported in massive containers to Karakkad, near Pattambi. This is the first time in Kerala’s history that a commercial airliner is being dismantled at a local scrap facility.
- Transportation: The remains were hauled in large flatbed trucks and containers over several days.
- Location: The facility is located in Karakkad, Ongallur, known as one of the largest recycling hubs in Kerala.
- Total Weight: Approximately 45 tons of metal and composite materials reached the yard.
Remembering the 2020 Air India Express Flight 1344 Tragedy
A look back at the harrowing details of the Vande Bharat Mission flight that crashed at Karipur.
To understand the weight of the Air India Express Karipur plane scrap, one must remember August 7, 2020. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vande Bharat Mission flight from Dubai was carrying 184 passengers home. Heavy rain and the challenging table top runway at Calipur led to the Boeing 737-800 overshooting the runway.
- Casualties: 21 people, including the two brave pilots, lost their lives in the accident.
- The Impact: The plane fell into a 35 foot gorge and split into two distinct pieces.
- Heroism: Local residents of Kondotty rushed to the site despite the pandemic, saving many lives.
The Auction and Dismantling Process of the Boeing 737
Details on how the aircraft was sold and what happens to the components during recycling.
Once the legal formalities and safety investigations by the AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau) were completed, the Karipur plane scrap was put up for online tender. A prominent scrap dealer from Palakkad won the bid against various national competitors.
- Material Separation: Workers are currently separating aluminum panels, copper wiring, and brass fittings.
- Engine Removal: The high value engines and sensitive electronic instruments were removed by authorities before the auction.
- Scrap Value: The aircraft is primarily composed of high-grade aviation aluminum, which has high recycling value.
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Why This Kerala Plane Scrap is Historically Significant
Discussing the rarity of aircraft dismantling within the state of Kerala.
While aircraft are often retired and scrapped in major aviation hubs like Mumbai or Delhi, this is a rare occurrence in Kerala. The presence of the Karipur plane scrap in Pattambi has drawn curious onlookers and local workers alike. It serves as a physical reminder of the thin line between a magnificent flying machine and a pile of metal.
- Local Impact: This task has provided a unique technical challenge for the local workers in Pattambi.
- Emotional Weight: The buyer has requested anonymity due to the sensitive and emotional nature of the tragedy associated with the metal.
- Environmental Aspect: Recycling these materials ensures that the high-grade alloys are reused in other industries.
Safety Standards and Post Investigation Procedures
How the aviation industry handles wreckage after a fatal crash is resolved.
The dismantling of the Air India Express Karipur plane scrap only began after the ‘Final Report’ on the accident was released and all insurance claims were settled. This procedure ensures that no further evidence is needed from the airframe. The metal will eventually be melted down and repurposed into various industrial products.
- Investigation: Authorities ensured all flight recorders and critical parts were analyzed.
- Clearing Space: Removing the wreckage from the airport helps in maintaining current safety and space protocols.
- Repurposing: The high-strength aluminum from the Boeing 737 will likely find its way into new construction or manufacturing projects.
Conclusion
The sight of the Air India Express Karipur plane scrap being dismantled in Palakkad is a somber end to a dark day in Kerala’s history. While the metal is being recycled and transformed, the memory of those lost and the bravery of the rescuers will remain. This final chapter in Pattambi brings a sense of closure to the physical remains of Flight 1344.
FAQ
1. When did the Karipur air crash happen? The accident occurred on August 7, 2020, during a heavy monsoon evening.
2. Where is the plane being scrapped now? The wreckage is being dismantled at a scrap yard in Karakkad, Ongallur, near Pattambi in Palakkad district in kerala.
3. Why was the plane sold as scrap? After the investigation into the crash was completed, the airline auctioned the wreckage as it was no longer needed for evidence and cannot be repaired.
4. How many tons of scrap were in the aircraft? The remains transported to the yard weigh approximately 45 tons, consisting mostly of aluminum and copper.
5. Was the engine sold with the scrap? No, the engines and other sensitive technical components were removed by the authorities before the scrap auction.
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