Air India's New Airbus A350 Faces Recurring Noise & Vibration Issues, Grounded Twice
In a concerning development for India's national carrier, a brand-new Airbus A350 aircraft operated by Air India has experienced significant technical problems on two separate long-haul flights within a span of exactly ten days. The aircraft, registered as VT-JRF, has been forced to abort its journeys prematurely due to excessive vibrations and disturbing noise emanating from the belly hold section, raising serious questions about the aircraft's airworthiness and passenger safety.
Second Incident in Ten Days Forces Return to Delhi
The latest incident occurred on Thursday when the Airbus A350-900 was operating as flight AI 111 from Delhi to London. While traversing Omani airspace, the flight crew reported troubling levels of noise and vibration coming from the lower section of the aircraft. Following standard safety protocols, the pilots made the decision to turn the aircraft around and return to its point of origin at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The aircraft had been airborne for over seven hours before making its unscheduled return, landing back at IGIA at 12:51 PM after originally taking off at 5:42 AM. Air India immediately began making alternate travel arrangements for the affected passengers, including hotel accommodations while they awaited rescheduled flights to their intended destination.
Identical Problem Occurred Earlier This Month
This marks the second occurrence of this specific issue with the same aircraft within a remarkably short timeframe. On March 16, VT-JRF was operating as flight AI 102 from New York to Delhi when passengers seated in rows 32 and 33 reported being abruptly awakened by intense floor vibrations and alarming sounds coming from beneath their feet.
"The noise and vibrations were making passengers jittery and uncomfortable," according to sources familiar with the incident. The concerned travelers promptly alerted the cabin crew about the disturbing sensations, who then relayed the information to the flight deck.
At that time, the aircraft was flying near the coast of Ireland, and the pilots made the prudent decision to divert to Shannon Airport. The aircraft, carrying approximately 300 passengers and crew members, landed safely at the Irish airport where it remained grounded for comprehensive inspections as recommended by Airbus, the aircraft manufacturer.
Investigation and Previous Rectification Efforts
Following the March 16 incident, Airbus-suggested maintenance and inspection procedures were meticulously carried out on the aircraft. According to regulatory authorities, no specific deficiencies were identified during these checks. The aircraft was subsequently cleared to resume operations and successfully completed ten flight sectors without any reported abnormalities.
These flights included regular rotations on the Delhi-London-Delhi route as well as the Delhi-New York route (with a technical stop in Rome). The recurrence of the identical problem after what appeared to be successful rectification has raised eyebrows within aviation circles and prompted regulatory scrutiny.
Regulatory Response and Ongoing Investigation
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India's aviation regulatory body, has confirmed that it is actively investigating both incidents involving the Air India Airbus A350. A senior DGCA official provided details about the latest occurrence, stating: "Air India A350 aircraft VT-JRF operating flight AI 111 returned to Delhi due to excessive noise issue experienced by the flight crew. The aircraft turned back from near OMAN airspace."
The official further elaborated on the regulatory response: "Officers from the airworthiness and air safety directorate will conduct a thorough investigation of the aircraft to determine the root cause of these recurring issues." This investigation will likely involve detailed technical examinations, data analysis from flight recorders, and consultations with Airbus engineering teams.
Air India has maintained continuous communication with Airbus regarding the technical problems affecting their new A350 aircraft. The airline is cooperating fully with the DGCA investigation while simultaneously working to minimize disruption to passenger travel schedules.
The repeated occurrence of similar technical issues with a relatively new aircraft in a flagship carrier's fleet represents a significant operational challenge for Air India as it seeks to modernize its fleet and enhance its international service reputation. The outcome of the DGCA investigation will be closely watched by aviation authorities, industry experts, and frequent flyers alike.
