An Air India flight (AI180) traveling from San Francisco to Mumbai via Kolkata was forced to delay its journey after a technical snag was detected in one of its engines during a scheduled stopover at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata early Tuesday. The incident raised concerns among travelers and authorities, especially as it came just five days after a tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad.
Scheduled Halt Turns into Prolonged Delay
Air India’s long-haul flight AI180 had taken off from San Francisco Airport on time and reached Kolkata around 12:45 AM IST as scheduled. The flight, with its final destination being Mumbai, was set to make a brief stopover in Kolkata for operational purposes. However, the stop extended unexpectedly when ground crew and cockpit personnel discovered a technical issue in the left engine of the aircraft. The discovery led to a more detailed inspection by airport engineering staff and aviation technicians, who began evaluating the problem shortly after the aircraft landed.
Passengers Asked to Deplane After Four Hours
The passengers on board the flight were initially informed that there would be a slight delay. However, the issue turned out to be more complex than initially anticipated. After nearly four hours of inspection, at approximately 5:20 AM, an official announcement was made by the captain. “In the interest of flight safety, we are asking all passengers to deplane while we further inspect and address the technical concern,” said the captain, as reported by passengers on the flight.
The passengers then exited the aircraft and were taken to the terminal. Air India coordinated with the ground team in Kolkata to provide assistance, including temporary accommodation and refreshments for affected travelers.
Visuals Show Engine Under Inspection
Footage from the tarmac captured the left engine of the Boeing aircraft undergoing inspection by ground engineers and maintenance staff. The aircraft was seen stationary, with orange safety cones placed around it and several personnel visually assessing the engine casing and components. While no injuries or immediate risks to the passengers were reported, the situation caused understandable concern, particularly in light of a recent and devastating incident involving another Air India aircraft.
Recent Tragedy Raises Safety Concerns
The technical snag in AI180 comes just five days after a fatal crash involving Air India flight AI-171, which was headed from Ahmedabad to London’s Gatwick Airport. That flight tragically crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel building within seconds of take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.
There were 242 people aboard the AI-171 flight, including 230 passengers, 10 cabin crew members, and two pilots. All except a British national, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, tragically perished in the incident due to the resulting fire. The tragedy has since sparked debates over the maintenance standards and safety protocols being followed by the national carrier. While the incident in Kolkata did not result in any physical harm or damage, it has added to a growing list of operational setbacks being experienced by Air India in recent months.
Airline Responds with Safety First
In response to the incident, Air India issued a brief statement expressing regret over the inconvenience caused and reaffirming its commitment to passenger safety.
“Air India flight AI180 from San Francisco to Mumbai via Kolkata experienced a minor technical issue upon arrival in Kolkata. As a precautionary measure, all passengers were safely deplaned and are being assisted by ground staff. Our engineering team is working to resolve the issue at the earliest. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank our passengers for their understanding,” the airline noted.
Air India further emphasized that passenger safety remains paramount, and that no compromises are made in assessing or handling technical issues during international and domestic flights.
Aviation Experts Weigh In
Aviation experts have weighed in on the incident, highlighting the importance of rigorous post-landing checks, especially on long-haul international flights. “Engines of aircraft, especially those flying across continents, undergo a massive operational load. It’s not uncommon to find wear and tear or early warning signs of malfunction, which is why periodic maintenance is critical,” said aviation analyst Prakash Joshi. “However, what matters is how swiftly and transparently these issues are dealt with, and in this case, the crew’s decision to deplane passengers was absolutely correct.”
Passengers Await Next Steps
As of Tuesday morning, most passengers were still awaiting further communication from the airline about their rescheduled departure for Mumbai. Air India was reportedly working to either fix the technical issue with the current aircraft or arrange an alternate flight to carry the remaining leg of the journey.
For passengers traveling from abroad and connecting through Kolkata, the incident has led to missed connections and delays in business and personal plans. However, many appreciated the transparency shown by the flight crew. “It’s frustrating to wait after such a long journey, but I’m glad they didn’t take any chances with our safety,” said Ramesh Verma, a passenger who was en route to Mumbai to attend a family event.
A Critical Time for India’s Flag Carrier
With back-to-back technical and safety-related incidents, Air India is under increased scrutiny from both aviation regulators and the public. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to assess both recent incidents for compliance with international aviation safety standards.
The national airline, which is undergoing a modernization and restructuring program after its takeover by the Tata Group, now faces additional pressure to reinforce public trust, especially for its international clientele.
As passengers await flight resumption, the incident serves as a reminder that vigilance in aviation must never be compromised, and transparency in communication is as important as technical precision in times of disruption.
