Air India Safety Crisis: Two Near Misses in One Day

Air India's safety record has come under intense scrutiny following a series of concerning incidents. The most recent events involved two near-misses within a 24-hour period, adding to the fallout from a fatal crash earlier in June.

On June 12th, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing Dreamliner, crashed in Ahmedabad, resulting in 260 fatalities. A preliminary report suggests the crash may have been caused by mid-air engine failure, cockpit confusion, and unsuccessful recovery attempts. Pilot error is also under investigation, although the aviation minister has urged against premature conclusions until a full report is released.

Then, on an unspecified date weeks later, two further incidents occurred. First, an Air India Airbus A320 flight from Kochi veered off the runway during landing at Mumbai airport. The landing, which took place around 9:27 AM in heavy rain, caused three tires to burst.

Photographs show damage to the wing, engine cowling, and wing flaps, with grass and mud smeared across the aircraft. Despite the damage, the plane taxied to the gate, and all passengers disembarked safely. However, the incident resulted in the closure of the main runway.

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Later that same day, a second incident occurred at Delhi airport. Air India Flight AI 2403, en route to Kolkata, was accelerating down the runway at approximately 155 kilometres per hour when the pilots aborted takeoff, engaging emergency brakes. The reason for the aborted takeoff is under investigation.

These events, coupled with reports that Air India received nine safety violation notices before the June 12th crash, raise serious concerns about the airlines safety protocols and the effectiveness of any subsequent corrective actions. The incidents underscore the need for a comprehensive review of safety procedures and practices to prevent future occurrences.