DGCA launches probe as Vienna-bound Air India flight from Delhi dropped 900 feet 2 days after AI 171 crash: Report

A Vienna-bound Air India flight, which took off from the Delhi airport on June 14, dropped 900 feet mid-air, according to fresh revelation, according to a report.

The flight, AI 187, departed from Indira Gandhi International Airport at 2.56 am on June 14. Immediately after taking off, it suffered a technical glitch amid bad weather conditions, causing it to lose altitude rapidly, reports The Times of India.

This reportedly triggered warnings, including repeated "Don't Sink" alerts. However, the airline said the pilots were able to stabilise the flight and continue the journey. AI 187 reached Vienna safely nine hours and eight minutes later.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incident. The civil aviation watchdog have recovered the black box from the flight, according to the daily. Both the pilots have been stopped from flying temporarily as the investigation progresses.

In response to the DGCA probe, Air India released a statement, saying, “Upon receipt of the pilot’s report, the matter was disclosed to DGCA in accordance with regulations. Subsequently, upon receipt of data from the aircraft’s recorders, further investigation was initiated. The pilots have been off-rostered pending the outcome of the investigation."

The shocking incident occurred just two days after a London-bound Air India's A1 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed moments after it took off from the Ahmedabad airport. The plane crashed into a medical hostel building. killing 270 people, including 241 people who were on board. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is currently analysing the CVR (Cockpit Voice Recorder) and FDR (Flight Data Recorder) data.

India