Air India Faces New Flight Scare Days After Fatal Crash
Just 38 hours after the devastating Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad that killed over 260 people, another Air India aircraft narrowly avoided disaster. This time, the danger came during takeoff from Delhi on Flight AI187 bound for Vienna.
The aircraft—a Boeing 777—reportedly lost nearly 900 feet of altitude shortly after takeoff. According to a report by The Times of India, the cockpit triggered multiple safety warnings, including “stall alert” and “don’t sink” cautions—both of which require urgent corrective action to prevent catastrophe.
What Went Wrong During Takeoff?
Shortly after liftoff, the plane’s Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) began sounding critical alerts. An aviation official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the aircraft encountered a stick shaker warning, which signals an impending stall. Along with that came the GPWS “don’t sink” caution—issued twice, indicating the aircraft was dangerously close to losing lift.
Despite the alarming warnings, the flight crew managed to regain control and continued on to Vienna. But the incident raised red flags for regulators, especially in light of the recent Ahmedabad crash.
DGCA Launches Full Investigation
India’s aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has taken swift action. Both pilots have been suspended pending investigation, and Air India’s head of safety has been summoned for questioning.
The DGCA confirmed that a probe is underway and highlighted discrepancies between the pilots’ initial post-flight report and the flight data. While the report cited “stick shaker due to turbulence,” it omitted mention of the stall and GPWS alerts—a critical oversight.
Flight Data Reveals the Full Picture
It wasn’t until investigators reviewed the aircraft’s flight data recorder that the full story emerged. It showed that both stall warnings and multiple GPWS alerts had occurred during the flight’s early climb.
This discovery has heightened concerns over Air India’s internal safety reporting, especially as scrutiny intensifies following the Ahmedabad tragedy.
Operational Impact: Fleet Inspections and Route Cuts
In response to the incident, the DGCA has ordered enhanced inspections across Air India’s wide-body fleet, including Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft. The airline has proactively cut its international wide-body operations by 15% to accommodate the new inspection protocols.
An Air India spokesperson issued a statement confirming the investigation:
“Upon receipt of the pilot’s report, the matter was disclosed to DGCA in accordance with regulations. Subsequently, upon receipt of data from the aircraft’s recorders, further investigation was initiated. The pilots have been off-rostered pending the outcome of the investigation.”
What’s Next for Air India?
With two serious flight incidents within days, Air India faces mounting pressure to review its safety protocols, pilot training, and post-flight reporting standards. The airline’s future will depend on how thoroughly and transparently it responds to DGCA findings—and how swiftly it restores public confidence.
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