Air India Grounds Pilots After Delhi-Vienna Flight Dropped 900 Feet Soon After Take-Off

Air India has grounded two of its pilots after a Vienna-bound flight plunged nearly 900 feet mid-air shortly after takeoff from Delhi airport. This incident occurred just a couple of days after the fatal Ahmedabad crash involving the airline's AI-171. Both pilots involved in the incident have been grounded pending the outcome of an investigation.

According to reports, Flight AI-187, a Boeing 777, took off from Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport at 2.56 am on June 14 and reached its destination safely after nine hours of flying. However, soon after takeoff, the plane lost altitude and dropped nearly 900 feet, triggering a ground proximity warning, including repeated "Don’t sink" alerts, as per The Times of India report.

"Upon receipt of the pilot’s report, the matter was disclosed to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in accordance with regulations. Subsequently, upon receipt of data from the aircraft’s recorders, further investigation was initiated. The pilots have been off-rostered pending the outcome of the investigation," India Today quoted an Air India spokesperson as saying.

The DGCA has launched a detailed probe and has sought an explanation from Air India’s Head of Safety. The incident took place approximately 38 hours after the Ahmedabad plane crash on 12 June, which killed over 270 people.

The aviation regulator, DGCA, has identified recurring maintenance issues and inadequate defect repairs across Air India’s aircraft following a comprehensive safety review. This assessment was prompted by several Air India flights experiencing technical problems earlier this month. The current inquiry will investigate potential causes, including adverse weather, equipment malfunctions, or crew errors, and may result in stricter oversight measures and revised operating procedures.

The aviation authority initiated an extensive evaluation at Air India’s primary facility in Gurugram on 23 June, reported news agency PTI citing sources. This comprehensive annual review encompasses multiple operational areas, including flight operations, planning, crew scheduling, duty rosters, and the airline’s Integrated Operations Control Centre, the source explained.