An Air India flight bound for Mumbai was forced to make an emergency return to the national capital on Monday morning after experiencing a serious engine failure shortly after takeoff. The aircraft, carrying hundreds of passengers and crew, landed safely following established safety protocols.
Timeline of the Emergency
The incident involved an Air India Boeing 777, registered as VT-ALS and operating as flight AI 887. The jet departed from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) at 6:10 AM on its scheduled journey to Mumbai. However, the routine flight quickly turned into an emergency situation.
According to an official statement from the aviation ministry, the flight crew observed a critical warning during the initial climb phase. "During flap retraction after take-off, the flight crew observed low engine oil pressure on engine number 2 (right side). Shortly thereafter, the engine oil pressure dropped to zero," the ministry stated. Following standard operating procedures, the pilots promptly shut down the affected engine.
Safe Return and Passenger Management
Despite the failure of one engine, the twin-engine Boeing 777 is designed to operate safely on a single engine. The crew expertly guided the aircraft back to Delhi, where it made a safe landing at approximately 6:52 AM. The Indira Gandhi International Airport had activated its emergency protocols in preparation for the unscheduled return.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) immediately took note of the incident. Apart from launching a probe into the technical fault, the regulator also oversaw efforts to minimize passenger inconvenience. Air India swiftly arranged an alternative aircraft, another Boeing 777 (VT-ALP), to complete the journey to Mumbai.
The airline provided refreshments to the passengers at the boarding gate. The replacement flight eventually departed Delhi around 10:30 AM, ensuring the travelers reached their destination.
Investigation and Airline Response
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a formal investigation into the engine failure. The aviation ministry confirmed that the incident will be thoroughly examined by the airline's permanent investigation board under the DGCA's supervision.
An Air India spokesperson addressed the situation, stating, "The crew operating flight AI 887 from Delhi to Mumbai decided to return to Delhi shortly after take-off due to a technical issue as per standard operating procedure. The aircraft landed safely at Delhi and the passengers and crew have disembarked."
The spokesperson expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and emphasized the carrier's commitment to safety. "Air India sincerely regrets inconvenience caused due to this unforeseen situation. The aircraft is undergoing the necessary checks. At Air India, the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew remain top priority," the statement concluded.
The successful handling of this emergency highlights the importance of rigorous pilot training and adherence to safety procedures, ensuring that even serious technical issues can be managed without harm to passengers or crew.
