New Delhi: A Mumbai bound Air India flight was forced to return to Delhi on Monday after pilots noticed a sudden drop in engine oil pressure shortly after takeoff, officials said.
The flight, AI 887, operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft, had taken off from Indira Gandhi International Airport for Mumbai with more than 300 passengers on board. Soon after departure, cockpit instruments showed that oil pressure in one of the engines had dropped to zero.
Following standard safety procedures, the pilots shut down the affected engine and decided to turn back to Delhi as a precaution. The aircraft remained airborne for nearly an hour before making a safe landing at the Delhi airport.
All passengers and crew members were safely evacuated after landing. There were no reports of injuries or panic during the incident.
Air India said the decision to return was taken purely in the interest of passenger safety. The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and arranged alternative flights and assistance for passengers to continue their journey to Mumbai.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has been informed about the incident and has ordered a detailed technical investigation. The aircraft has been grounded for inspection until the exact cause of the engine oil pressure failure is identified and rectified.
Aviation experts noted that modern twin engine aircraft are designed to fly and land safely even with one engine shut down, and the incident highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and strict adherence to safety protocols.