New Delhi – In a serious aviation incident, an Air India flight from Delhi to Vienna suddenly lost approximately 900 feet of altitude mid-air shortly after takeoff, triggering multiple cockpit warnings and causing alarm among the crew.
The incident occurred on June 14, when Flight AI-187, a Boeing 777, departed from Indira Gandhi International Airport at 2:56 AM. According to a report by The Times of India, the aircraft experienced a rapid descent shortly after takeoff, leading to the activation of stall and ground proximity warning systems, including repeated “Don’t Sink” alerts.
This incident comes barely days after another Air India mishap – the tragic crash of Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which took off from Ahmedabad Airport on June 12 and crashed minutes later. That crash reportedly resulted in the deaths of around 270 people.
In response to this latest mid-air safety scare, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a detailed investigation and has summoned Air India’s Chief of Security for a formal explanation.
An Air India spokesperson confirmed the incident and stated that both pilots have been grounded pending the outcome of the investigation.
Despite the altitude loss, Flight AI-187 managed to complete its journey safely, landing in Vienna after a 9-hour and 8-minute flight.
The aviation regulator DGCA is treating the matter with utmost seriousness, especially given the proximity to the earlier fatal incident. Safety protocols, pilot training, and aircraft system responses are expected to be thoroughly examined as part of the inquiry.
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