Major security lapse: Air India plane plunges 900 feet after takeoff, safety chief summoned, both pilots suspended
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Another serious safety incident has emerged on an Air India flight. A Boeing 777 aircraft flying from Delhi to Vienna dropped nearly 900 feet mid-air shortly after takeoff. Following this incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken strict action, grounding both pilots until the investigation is complete.
What exactly happened?
The incident occurred on June 14, when Air India flight AI-187 took off from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 2:56 am for Vienna. According to a Times of India report, soon after takeoff, the aircraft suddenly lost altitude, activating stall warnings and the ground proximity warning system in the cockpit. During this time, pilots repeatedly received “Don’t sink” alerts.
However, an Air India spokesperson said on Tuesday that the pilots immediately took corrective action, stabilized the aircraft, and continued the flight safely despite challenging weather. The plane landed safely in Vienna after a nine-hour, eight-minute journey.
DGCA’s strict action:
Air India reported that it immediately informed the DGCA as per rules after receiving the pilots’ report. After retrieving data from the aircraft’s recorder, a detailed investigation was launched. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the DGCA has summoned Air India’s safety chief for an explanation.
Growing concerns over Air India’s safety:
This incident comes at a time when Air India’s safety protocols are under intense scrutiny. It happened just two days after a deadly accident on June 12 in Ahmedabad, where an Air India Dreamliner flight bound for London crashed, killing nearly 270 people.
Additionally, a recent DGCA safety audit has revealed repeated negligence in the maintenance of Air India’s fleet. Investigating agencies are now trying to determine whether the Vienna flight incident was caused by bad weather, technical issues, or pilot error. Significant changes to the airline’s safety protocols may follow this investigation.