In yet another unsettling incident, Air India finds itself in the headlines once again due to technical malfunctions plaguing its aircraft. On Tuesday morning, a fresh case emerged involving an Air India flight originating from San Francisco, which was scheduled to reach Mumbai via Kolkata.
According to the initial reports, the flight in question was Air India AI 1880, a Boeing 7200 LR series aircraft. The plane landed in Kolkata around 12:45 PM, where it was scheduled for a brief halt before continuing to Mumbai by 2:00 PM. However, things took an unexpected turn when a technical fault was detected. Passengers were informed around 5:20 PM, after prolonged delays, that they were being deplaned as a precautionary measure due to an issue with the aircraft’s left engine.
While Air India has not released any official statement yet, it is being reported that arrangements are being made to fly the stranded passengers to Mumbai on another aircraft. The cause of the fault has not been officially detailed, but the repeated occurrence of such incidents is raising serious concerns about Air India’s operational safety.
This was not an isolated case. In the last 24 hours, this incident marks the third such technical issue involving Air India and its aircraft. Just a day earlier, another Air India flight, AI 315, operating a Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Hong Kong to Delhi, encountered technical problems about 90 minutes after takeoff. The pilot communicated with air traffic control, reporting that the aircraft could no longer continue safely and requested clearance to return. The plane landed back in Hong Kong without incident, averting any potential disaster.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner series has been in the spotlight recently for multiple reasons. On June 12th, another aircraft of this series operating a flight from Ahmedabad to London tragically crashed just seconds after takeoff, resulting in numerous fatalities. While investigations are still underway, this accident has already cast a shadow on the Dreamliner series' safety reputation.
Adding to this alarming pattern, a British Airways flight, BA 35, also operating a Boeing 787 Dreamliner from London to Chennai, was forced to turn back shortly after takeoff due to a technical fault. This incident occurred within the same 24-hour period as the Air India cases, further raising concerns over the reliability of the Dreamliner fleet.
Fortunately, in all the recent Air India cases, no casualties or injuries have been reported. Safety precautions were promptly taken, and all passengers were safely deplaned or returned to their originating airports. However, the frequency of these technical glitches cannot be ignored.
These repeated failures over such a short span have put Air India’s maintenance protocols and the broader issue of aircraft safety back in the public eye. While technical glitches can occur in aviation, the sheer frequency and proximity of these incidents are alarming for passengers and regulators alike. As of now, the official cause behind these failures remains undisclosed, and Air India is yet to issue a comprehensive statement addressing the concerns.
Until the airline and aviation authorities thoroughly investigate and resolve these recurring problems, passengers may find it difficult to trust Air India’s assurances of safety. The aviation industry will be watching closely as the investigation unfolds, and the hope remains that these incidents will serve as a wake-up call to prioritize maintenance, safety checks, and transparent communication with the flying public.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is based on initial media reports and ongoing developments. Official statements from Air India and aviation authorities are awaited. Readers are advised to verify facts from official sources before drawing conclusions. The blog does not take responsibility for any inaccuracies or updates in the evolving situation.
