Mid-Air Engine Failure Forces Air India Flight to Make Emergency Return to Delhi

New Delhi: An Air India flight bound for Mumbai, carrying 335 passengers and crew, was forced to make an emergency return to New Delhi on Sunday following a critical engine failure shortly after takeoff. The Boeing 777, operating as flight AI887, was airborne for nearly an hour before technical issues necessitated a precautionary landing back at Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The crisis began during the initial climb when the flight crew noticed a drop in engine oil pressure while retracting the aircraft's flaps. According to officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the oil pressure in the right engine rapidly plummeted to zero. Following standard safety protocols, the pilots immediately shut down the affected engine and declared an emergency, successfully landing the massive jet without further incident. All passengers and crew disembarked safely with no reported injuries.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has demanded a comprehensive report from Air India, while the DGCA has launched a formal investigation. Preliminary reviews of the aircraft's maintenance history showed no prior abnormal oil consumption, making the sudden failure a primary focus for investigators. The probe will be conducted by the airline’s Permanent Investigation Board under the direct supervision of the DGCA’s Director of Air Safety.

In a statement, Air India expressed regret for the disruption and confirmed that the aircraft has been grounded for thorough technical inspections and rectification. Impacted passengers were accommodated on alternative flights to Mumbai throughout the day.