July 11, 2025 – New Delhi, India
A recent Air India flight incident has sparked serious concerns after it was revealed that a pilot allegedly cut off the aircraft’s engines mid-flight during a routine maneuver, prompting an official inquiry by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Incident Overview
The incident reportedly occurred aboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating a domestic flight from Delhi to Bengaluru in late June. According to preliminary findings, the senior pilot conducting a training session with a co-pilot initiated a simulated dual engine failure by shutting down both engines while the aircraft was cruising at altitude.
This maneuver—extremely risky at cruising altitude—is not standard operating procedure and raised immediate alarms. Although both engines were later restarted and the aircraft landed safely, aviation safety experts have raised questions about the judgment and protocol followed during the episode.
DGCA’s Response
The DGCA confirmed the incident and has grounded both the captain and the trainee pilot pending a full investigation.
“This was a serious lapse in operational safety. We are examining why such a simulation was conducted mid-flight and whether it violated Air India’s standard operating procedures or broader aviation safety norms,” a senior DGCA official said.
The DGCA is also reviewing cockpit voice recordings, flight data, and interviewing the crew involved. A show-cause notice has been issued to the airline.
Air India Statement
Air India released a brief statement acknowledging the incident and confirming cooperation with regulatory authorities:
“Air India has taken note of the incident and has de-rostered the pilots involved pending investigation. Safety of our passengers and adherence to aviation protocols are of utmost importance to us.”
Industry Reaction
Aviation analysts and former pilots have criticized the pilot’s decision as “reckless” and “highly unconventional.”
Captain S.N. Sharma, a retired pilot with over 30 years of experience, said:
“Simulated dual engine failure at cruising altitude is not part of any approved in-flight training. Such exercises are meant for simulators, not real-world scenarios where passenger safety is at risk.”
Others in the aviation community have expressed shock and called for stricter oversight of airline training practices.
Background & Training Protocols
In commercial aviation, engine shutdowns are typically simulated in controlled environments such as flight simulators. While real in-flight engine failures are trained for, intentionally inducing them outside an emergency context is almost universally prohibited.
This incident comes at a time when Air India is undergoing a broad operational overhaul under Tata Group ownership, including fleet modernization and staff retraining.
What’s Next?
The DGCA’s investigation will determine whether the pilot violated civil aviation regulations or acted under an approved training program. Depending on the findings, the pilots may face suspension or permanent license revocation.
This case adds pressure on Indian airlines to strengthen internal oversight and reinforces the critical importance of adhering strictly to in-flight safety protocols.
