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Mid-Air Emergency on Air India Flight

An alarming incident occurred on June 14 when an Air India flight (AI-187) heading to Vienna lost altitude by approximately 900 feet shortly after taking off from Delhi. This situation raised immediate safety alarms and prompted an investigation by aviation authorities.

The incident transpired just minutes after takeoff, as the aircraft faced stall and ground proximity alerts, which posed a risk of an aerodynamic stall and potential ground collision. The emergency crew onboard swiftly implemented emergency protocols, successfully regaining control of the Boeing 777 despite challenging weather conditions.

Fortunately, all passengers remained unharmed, and the flight continued to its destination without further issues. However, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) took the matter seriously, grounding the two pilots involved and summoning Air India's Head of Safety for questioning on June 17, 2025. A thorough investigation has been launched to determine whether adverse weather, technical failures, or human error contributed to the incident.

Concerns Over Air India's Safety Standards

This flight scare comes at a time when Air India's safety measures are under increasing scrutiny. A recent audit by the DGCA highlighted several concerns, including maintenance issues and inadequate defect rectification across the airline's fleet. These findings have raised significant alarms regarding Air India's operational practices, leading authorities to consider stricter oversight and additional inspections in the near future.

Tragic AI-171 Crash Raises Further Alarm

The safety crisis at Air India follows closely on the heels of the tragic crash of Flight AI-171, which occurred just 38 hours earlier. This incident, which took place on June 12, resulted in the loss of 241 lives out of 242 passengers, marking it as one of the most devastating air disasters in recent Indian aviation history.

Preliminary investigations have suggested that the crash was due to a combination of system failures and poor visibility, although a definitive report is still pending. The series of near-disasters has led to serious questions about the airline's safety protocols, pilot training, and engineering practices.

With public confidence shaken, the DGCA is under pressure to enforce stricter regulations to ensure flight safety across all major airlines. The outcomes of these investigations are expected to significantly impact future aviation safety regulations in India and shape public perception of Air India's reliability.

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