Mumbai-Bound Air India Flight Returns to Delhi Following Engine Snag

New Delhi, Dec 22: A Mumbai-bound Air India Boeing 777 aircraft returned to Delhi on Monday morning after developing a technical issue in its right engine, sources said.

The aircraft, operating flight AI887 and carrying around 335 passengers, remained airborne for nearly an hour before making an air turn-back and landing safely at the national capital, sources added.

Air India said the crew decided to return to Delhi shortly after take-off in line with standard operating procedures following a technical issue. “The aircraft landed safely at Delhi and all passengers and crew have disembarked. We regret the inconvenience caused due to this unforeseen situation,” the airline said in a statement.

A source in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the flight crew observed low engine oil pressure in the right-hand engine during flap retraction after take-off. The engine oil pressure subsequently dropped to zero, prompting the decision to return.

The source said inspection of the aircraft is currently underway, adding that a review of previous maintenance records did not indicate any abnormal oil consumption.

According to Air India, the aircraft is undergoing necessary technical checks, and alternative arrangements have been made to fly passengers to Mumbai.

The flight AI887 was operated using a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and took off from Delhi around 6.30 am. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft remained in the air for about an hour before returning. (Agencies)