Mumbai-Bound Air India Flight Grounded in Kolkata After Engine Technical Snag, Passengers Deplaned
Mumbai, 17th June 2025: A Mumbai-bound Air India flight from San Francisco was grounded in Kolkata early Tuesday after a technical snag was detected in the aircraft’s left engine, intensifying scrutiny over Air India’s operational safety following a series of recent technical incidents.
Flight AI180, a Boeing 777-200LR, landed at Kolkata airport on schedule at 12:45 am IST for a planned halt before its onward journey to Mumbai. However, during the stopover, a malfunction in the left engine was identified, delaying the scheduled departure. At approximately 5:20 am, the captain announced that all passengers would need to deplane, citing flight safety as the primary concern. Visuals from the airport showed the aircraft stationary on the tarmac while engineers inspected the affected engine.
No injuries were reported, and maintenance teams initiated thorough checks on the aircraft. Passengers were informed that the decision to deplane was precautionary and in line with safety protocols. The airline arranged alternative travel for affected passengers, though the incident caused significant delays to their onward journey.
This latest technical issue comes amid heightened concern after the deadly Air India crash near Ahmedabad last week, which claimed over 270 lives and led to a comprehensive inspection order for Air India’s Boeing fleet by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). In the days following the crash, at least five Air India flights have reported technical snags, emergency returns, or cancellations, including a Hong Kong-Delhi Dreamliner that returned mid-air due to a suspected technical problem and a Delhi-Ranchi flight that had to turn back shortly after takeoff.
Aviation authorities have directed Air India to conduct additional maintenance checks on all Boeing aircraft, including fuel system diagnostics, engine control testing, and performance reviews, to address growing safety concerns.
The repeated technical issues have left passengers anxious and raised questions about Air India’s maintenance practices and fleet reliability, as the airline works to restore public confidence and comply with regulatory directives.
