New Delhi, Dec 22: An Air India Boeing 777-300ER operating a Delhi-Mumbai service was forced to return to the national capital on Monday morning after the crew shut down one engine due to a technical fault, aviation authorities said.
The aircraft, operating flight AI887, was airborne for about an hour before landing safely at Delhi with nearly 335 people on board, officials said.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the flight crew detected low oil pressure in the right-hand engine during flap retraction soon after takeoff.
“After the engine oil pressure dropped to zero, the crew followed laid-down procedures and shut down engine No. 2,” a DGCA official said. “The aircraft then carried out an air turn-back and landed safely in Delhi.”
Air India confirmed the incident, saying the decision to return was taken as part of standard operating procedures.
“The aircraft landed safely at Delhi and passengers and crew have disembarked,” the airline said, adding that it regretted the inconvenience caused by the unforeseen situation.
The civil aviation ministry said it had sought a detailed report from Air India and instructed the DGCA to investigate the matter.
“The airline has been directed to extend all assistance to passengers and accommodate them on subsequent flights,” the ministry said.
A DGCA source said a review of the aircraft’s previous records did not indicate any abnormal oil consumption prior to the incident.
Air India said the aircraft is undergoing technical checks and that alternative arrangements have been made to transport passengers to Mumbai.
