Intentionally or unintentionally, we’ve all thought of the consequences of an airplane crashing – whilst we are on one or not. This condition is called aerophobia or aviophobia – the fear of flying.

Sometimes things work out of hand and the big metal birds are exposed to the worst case scenarios, which end up with the airplane crashing. Pakistan has gone through its fair share of crashes and loss of life. Some of the crashes were so frightful, they are still mourned till today. For example, whenever I board a plane.. the Bhoja Airline and Airblue crashes pop up in the back of my mind – scary!

Here’s a list of airplane crashes in Pakistan that will double your fear of flying!

1. April 20, 2012: Bhoja Airlines Airbus 737 (Death toll: 130)

The plane took off from Karachi and crashed near Islamabad. There were ‘no survivors’.

2. July 28, 2010: Airblue Airbus 321 (Death toll: 152)

The Airblue plane crashed in the Margalla Hills of Islamabad after taking off from Karachi.

3. September 28, 1992: PIA Airbus A300 (Death toll:167)

Just before landing, the plane crashed in the Kathmandu Hills of Nepal

4. November 26, 1979: PIA Boeing 707 (Death toll:157)

The flight crashed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, moments after taking off. The flight was bringing back Hajj pilgrims to Pakistan.

5. July 10, 2006: PIA Fokker (Death toll: 41)

A PIA Fokker plane that was bound from Multan to Lahore, crashed in the fields midway.

6. August 17,1988: Hercules C-130 (Death toll: 31)

The plane was carrying Pakistan’s military leader General Zia-ul-Haq, other Pakistani generals and US ambassadors.

7. May 20,1965: PIA Boeing 707 (Death toll: 127)

One of Pakistan’s first Boeing 707, crashed while attempting to land at Cairo Airport, Egypt.

8. November 5, 2010: Sun Way Flight 4421 (Death toll:12)

An international cargo plane travelling from Karachi to Sudan caught fire and crashed – killing 8 on board and 4 on ground.

9. February 24, 2003: Cessne 402-B (Death toll: 8)

A chartered plane carrying Afghan Minister Mohammadi and 2 Pakistanis crashed in the Arabian Sea near Karachi.

10. December 8,1972: Twin-Engine JS Charter (Death toll: 21)

An Italian oil company’s Pakistani JS chartered plane crashed after taking off from Karachi airport.

Travelling can be dangerous, doesn’t matter if you’re flying, in a train or by road – however, these airplane crashes in Pakistan surely make me question of which route I take next time.