 "Representational image. File image/PTI")
Less than 38 hours after the deadly crash of Air India flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad, another serious safety scare hit the airline. A Delhi-to-Vienna Boeing 777, operating as flight AI 187, faced several critical inflight warnings soon after takeoff.
Sources say the incident happened on 14 June, only hours after an Air India flight bound for London crashed in Ahmedabad, killing more than 280 people.
The incident happened around 2:56 am on 14 June, as the plane flew through severe thunderstorms over Delhi, according to a report by the Times of India.
The aircraft, registered VT-ALJ, triggered a stall warning and received two “don’t sink” alerts from its Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS), signalling an unexpected loss of altitude. Officials said the aircraft dropped about 900 feet during the initial part of the flight.
Although the flight eventually landed safely in Vienna after 9 hours and 8 minutes, the incident has sparked an investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Both pilots have been taken off flying duties, and Air India’s head of safety has been called in for questioning.
‘Stick shaker’ alert prompted quick action
Officials said the crew received a “stick shaker” warning—a serious alert that causes the control column to vibrate violently, warning pilots that the aircraft is at risk of stalling and needs immediate corrective action.