New Delhi, Dec 22: A Mumbai-bound Air India Boeing 777 aircraft was forced to return to Delhi on Monday morning after the crew detected a technical issue with the aircraft’s right engine, official sources said.
The flight, AI887, carrying around 335 passengers, had been airborne for nearly an hour after departing from Indira Gandhi International Airport at around 6.30 am before it made an emergency return to the national capital.
According to Air India, the flight crew decided to turn back shortly after take-off in accordance with standard operating procedures. “The crew operating flight AI887 from Delhi to Mumbai on 22 December decided to return to Delhi due to a technical issue. The aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew disembarked normally,” the airline said in a statement, while expressing regret over the inconvenience caused.
A source from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the aircraft executed an air turn-back after the flight crew observed low engine oil pressure in the right-hand engine during flap retraction following take-off. “The engine oil pressure dropped to zero, following which the crew took the precautionary decision to return. An inspection of the aircraft is currently underway,” the source added.
The DGCA source further noted that a review of the aircraft’s previous maintenance records did not indicate any abnormal oil consumption.
The flight was operated using a Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24.com confirmed that the aircraft remained airborne for about an hour before landing back in Delhi.
Air India said the aircraft is undergoing necessary technical checks and alternative arrangements have been made to transport passengers to Mumbai.
