An Air India Express Boeing 737, operating flight IX 415 from Cochin to Abu Dhabi, had to return mid-flight after the crew noticed a significant drop in oil levels for Engine 1. The situation escalated when oil pressure fell into a critical range, prompting the crew to shut down the engine. The aircraft safely returned to Cochin without any reported injuries among passengers or crew.
Increased Safety Measures Following Aviation Incidents
In response to the recent Phuket-Delhi incident, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will increase the annual percentage of psychoactive substance tests for flight crews. This decision comes amid concerns about aviation safety, particularly following the Air India Express engine-oil event. It raises questions about whether the Ministry of Civil Aviation will also enhance the framework for DGCA safety audits.
The latest episode comes days after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau released its preliminary findings on the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight. Technical diversions have become a near-weekly feature across Indian carriers. That report recorded that Airbus technical experts inspected the involved aircraft for three days in the presence of the investigation team. Hydraulic components and hydraulic samples were then collected for further analysis.
