GURUGRAM- An Air India (AI) flight from Delhi (DEL) to Vienna (VIE) plunged 900 feet mid-air shortly after takeoff, prompting stall and ground proximity warnings. The flight, AI 187, operated by a Boeing 777, landed safely, but both pilots have been grounded as investigations are underway.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a formal probe into the incident, which occurred on June 14. This comes just two days after a fatal Air India crash in Ahmedabad (AMD), intensifying scrutiny on the airline’s safety standards.
Photo: Air IndiaAir India 777 Pilots Grounded
On June 14, 2025, Air India (AI) flight AI 187, a Boeing 777, departed Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) at 2:56 AM, bound for Vienna International Airport (VIE).
Moments after takeoff, the aircraft lost approximately 900 feet of altitude, activating critical stall warnings and the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS), which issued repeated “Don’t Sink” alerts.
Despite turbulent weather, the pilots regained control and safely completed the nine-hour flight to Vienna. The TOI reported the incident, citing flight data recorder (FDR) analysis that revealed the severity of the event.
Air India promptly reported the incident to the DGCA, as per regulatory requirements. The airline’s spokesperson confirmed that both pilots were removed from flying duties pending a thorough investigation.
The DGCA has summoned Air India’s Head of Safety to address potential lapses in maintenance, pilot response, or operational oversight.
This incident follows closely on the heels of the tragic Air India flight AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, which killed over 260 people, intensifying scrutiny on the airline’s safety practices.
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Photo: Siddh Dhuri/ Mumbaiplanes, Go follow him on InstagramAir India’s Safety Challenges
The AI 187 incident occurred amid heightened concerns about Air India’s safety record. Just 38 hours prior, flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) in Ahmedabad, resulting in 241 fatalities on board and 19 on the ground.
The DGCA’s subsequent inspections of Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet revealed no major safety flaws but flagged persistent maintenance shortcomings and coordination issues among engineering, ground handling, and operations teams.
A DGCA audit conducted on June 23, 2025, at Air India’s Gurugram headquarters examined operations, flight scheduling, crew rostering, and the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC).
The audit followed reports of multiple technical snags across Air India’s fleet, including overdue safety inspections on three Airbus aircraft.
These findings, coupled with violations of flight duty time limitations (FDTL) on Bengaluru-London flights in May 2025, prompted the DGCA to order the removal of three senior crew-scheduling officials.
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)DGCA’s Investigation
The DGCA’s investigation into the AI 187 incident focuses on three potential factors: adverse weather conditions, mechanical issues, or pilot error.
The flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) are under analysis to determine the cause of the altitude loss and warning activations.
The regulator has taken a stern stance, warning Air India of penalties, license suspensions, or even withdrawal of operator permissions for future violations.
The DGCA’s broader scrutiny includes enhanced surveillance of Air India’s Boeing 787 and Airbus fleets, with additional maintenance actions mandated for aircraft equipped with GE Aerospace GEnx engines.
The regulator’s actions reflect growing concerns about systemic issues within Air India, particularly after the airline transitions to a new crew management system in May 2024 exposed lapses in licensing, rest, and recency requirements.
Photo: Siddh Dhuri, Compounded by Aviation A2ZAir India Operations Impacted
The AI 187 incident and the Ahmedabad crash have disrupted Air India’s operations, with 66 Boeing 787 flights canceled and services suspended on routes including Delhi-Vienna (AI 153), Delhi-Paris (AI 143), and Ahmedabad-London (AI 159).
These disruptions, attributed to enhanced safety checks and airspace restrictions, have led to passenger inconvenience and reputational challenges for the Tata-owned airline. Air India is offering refunds, rescheduling, and accommodations to affected passengers.
The DGCA’s ongoing audits and investigations may lead to stricter operational protocols, including revised maintenance schedules and crew training requirements.
Air India’s leadership, under Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran, has committed to transparency and safety improvements, emphasizing the need to rebuild trust following these incidents.
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