An Air India Express flight shuts down its engine at 36,000 feet after oil pressure enters the danger zone; lands overweight in Cochin | Today’s news
An Air India Express flight from Cochin to Abu Dhabi was forced to turn back mid-flight after the crew detected a technical problem with the engine oil pressure, news agency ANI reported. The aircraft made a precautionary safe landing at Cochin International Airport and all passengers and crew disembarked unhurt.
According to ANI, the Boeing 737 operational flight IX 415 was flying at an altitude of 36,000 feet when the pilot and co-pilot noticed a rapid drop in oil, prompting them to shut down the engine as the oil pressure entered the danger zone.
The crew reportedly discovered the technical snag 50 minutes after takeoff. Following standard safety procedures, the crew conducted a FORDEC assessment – a structured decision-making framework commonly used in crisis management – and decided to exit the Abu Dhabi sector and return to Cochin.
The commander contacted Mumbai Radio on high frequency and informed air traffic control (ATC) that the flight was diverting back to Cochin. The crew followed standard safety procedures when the aircraft changed course.
During the diversion, both pilots continued to monitor engine parameters and prepare for any unforeseen events. Approximately 45 minutes after turning back, engine 1 oil pressure began to fluctuate and entered the cockpit red zone, indicating a dangerous drop.
The crew then followed the Non-Normal Checklist (NNC) and shut down engine 1.
The plane lands safely on one engine
Landing an overweight Boeing 737 operating with only one engine is a very challenging and risky maneuver. Despite this, the crew completed the landing smoothly.
The passengers on board were largely unaware of the seriousness of the situation unfolding in the cockpit.
Technical deviations raise security questions
Technical deviations are becoming more common among Indian airlines. The latest incident comes days after the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) released its preliminary findings on the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight incident.
According to the report, Airbus technical experts inspected the plane for three days in the presence of the investigation team. Hydraulic components and hydraulic fluid samples were also collected for further analysis.
We focus on DGCA security audits
Following the Phuket-Delhi incident, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will increase the annual percentage of psychoactive substance tests for flight crews.
The Air India Express engine oil incident has now raised another question: whether the civil aviation ministry will also strengthen the framework governing DGCA safety audits.
