AI flight returns to Delhi after engine shutdown

An Air India Delhi-Mumbai flight was forced to return to the national Capital in less than one hour after taking off due to right engine shutdown, prompting an immediate safety response mid-air.

Flight AI887, operated by a Boeing 777-337 ER aircraft, had departed from Indira Gandhi International Airport at 3.20 am when pilots observed abnormally low oil pressure on the right-hand engine, identified as Engine No 2. The oil pressure subsequently dropped to zero, triggering standard emergency procedures and a decision to return to base.

The aircraft landed safely at Delhi airport, with all passengers and crew disembarking normally. No injuries were reported.  The plane, carrying around 335 people, was airborne for nearly an hour before returning to Delhi. The aircraft made an emergency landing, the sources said.

In aviation terms, a drop in engine oil pressure to zero is treated as a serious safety concern, as oil is essential to keep engine components cool and moving smoothly. Inadequate oil pressure can lead to rapid overheating and, in extreme cases, engine failure or fire. The incident would be investigated by the Permanent Investigation Board of the Airline under the supervision of Director Air Safety (NR), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has sought details from Air India about the incident.

According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, registered as VT-ALS and operating flight AI-887, experienced a problem during flap retraction after take-off.

AIC 887 (Delhi-Mumbai) was involved in Air turn back as during flap retraction after take-off, the flight crew observed low engine oil pressure on Engine No. 2 (Right-Hand engine). Shortly thereafter, the engine oil pressure dropped to zero. Following the procedure crew shutdown, the No 2 engine and aircraft landed safely at Delhi. Inspection/rectification is in Progress. “The flight crew observed low engine oil pressure on Engine No 2 (right-hand engine). Shortly thereafter, the engine oil pressure dropped to zero,” the ministry said. “The airline has been directed to extend all assistance to passengers and accommodate them on subsequent flights,” the Ministry said in a post on X.

On its part, Air India said in a statement, that the crew operating flight AI887 from Delhi to Mumbai on 22 December decided to return to Delhi shortly after take-off due to a technical issue as per standard operating procedure. According to a source at the DGCA, the review of previous records does not indicate any abnormality in oil consumption.

Air India said the plane is undergoing the necessary checks and alternative arrangements have been made to fly the passengers to their destination. The flight AI887 was being operated with a Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft and was airborne for about an hour after taking off at around 6.30 am, as per information available on flight tracking website Flightradar24.Com.

FIR filed in passenger assault case

New Delhi: An FIR has been registered in connection with the alleged assault of a passenger by an off-duty Air India Express pilot at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after the police received a formal complaint from the victim via email.

Delhi Police said the complaint was sent by Ankit Dewan on Monday morning, three days after the alleged incident at Terminal 1. Following the receipt of the complaint, police registered a case under appropriate sections of law and initiated an investigation. The FIR has been registered at the IGI Airport police station under Sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 126 (wrongful restraint) and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).