An Air India flight headed from the national capital to Mumbai was forced to make an emergency return to Delhi on Monday morning after its pilots detected a critical technical problem with one of the aircraft's engines. The incident involved flight AI887, which was carrying a significant number of passengers and crew.
Emergency Decision After Take-Off
The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft took off from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport around 6:30 am on December 22. However, the routine turned into an emergency shortly after departure. During the flap retraction phase following take-off, the flight crew observed a dangerously low oil pressure indication on the plane's right-hand engine. Following established safety protocols, the pilots immediately decided to turn the aircraft back towards Delhi.
The plane remained airborne for approximately one hour as it circled to dump fuel and prepare for a safe landing. It subsequently made an emergency landing at its origin airport. All 335 people on board, including passengers and crew members, disembarked safely. Air India, in an official statement, confirmed that the return was due to a technical issue and was conducted as per standard operating procedure.
DGCA Source Reveals Technical Details
A source within India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), provided further technical insight into the malfunction. The source stated that the oil pressure in the right engine had dropped to zero, prompting the air turn back. An inspection of the aircraft is currently in progress to determine the root cause of the failure.
Interestingly, the DGCA source added that a preliminary review of the engine's maintenance records showed no prior signs of abnormal oil consumption, making this a sudden and unforeseen event. The aircraft is now undergoing thorough checks by engineering teams.
Passenger Care and Next Steps
Air India has expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to its passengers by this unexpected situation. The airline has assured that alternative arrangements have been made to transport the affected passengers to their destination in Mumbai. The focus remains on completing the necessary technical inspections on the Boeing 777 before it can be cleared for service again.
This incident highlights the robust safety procedures followed by airline crews and the importance of immediate response to technical warnings. The safe landing of the wide-body aircraft without injury is being viewed as a successful management of an in-flight emergency.
