In a second aviation scare within 48 hours, Air India Flight AI-187, operating from Delhi to Vienna, experienced a significant in-flight emergency shortly after takeoff on June 14. The Boeing 777 aircraft reportedly lost nearly 900 feet in altitude during its initial climb, triggering a series of critical warnings, including a stall alert and a Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) caution that included a “don’t sink” message.
This incident came less than two days after the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171 near Ahmedabad, which claimed 241 lives, making it the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The close timing of these events has raised serious concerns about operational safety and prompted immediate regulatory action.
Flight AI-187, bearing the registration VT-ALJ, took off from Indira Gandhi International Airport at 2:56 am on June 14. At the time of departure, Delhi was experiencing heavy thunderstorms, which contributed to the challenging flying conditions. Shortly after becoming airborne, the aircraft’s stick shaker system activated—a warning that alerts pilots of an imminent stall by vibrating the control column and sounding an alarm in the cockpit. In addition, the GPWS issued a “don’t sink” warning, typically triggered when an aircraft is in danger of descending toward the ground during takeoff or climb.
Aviation authorities revealed that the aircraft lost approximately 900 feet of altitude during the climb but was successfully stabilized by the flight crew. The remainder of the nine-hour journey to Vienna proceeded without further incident. Following a scheduled crew change, the aircraft continued onward to Toronto.
Although the post-flight report initially described the incident as a stick shaker alert caused by turbulence, a deeper analysis of the flight data recorder (DFDR) uncovered more serious in-flight anomalies. In addition to the stick shaker, the data showed a stall warning and two instances of GPWS caution, which were not included in the original report. This discrepancy prompted the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to initiate a full investigation.
Both pilots operating the Delhi-Vienna leg have been off-rostered pending the outcome of the probe. Air India’s head of safety has also been summoned by regulators as part of the inquiry. The airline has not yet issued a formal public statement regarding the omissions in the initial incident report.
The AI-187 scare has further intensified scrutiny of Air India’s flight operations, particularly in the wake of the AI-171 disaster. Investigators are currently analyzing the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder recovered from the Ahmedabad crash site. Early speculation suggests multiple potential causes, including engine failure, electrical issues, or pilot error, though no definitive conclusions have been reached.
Experts emphasize the importance of transparency and thoroughness in aviation incident reporting, especially when critical warnings like stall alerts and GPWS cautions are involved. In the current climate, where aviation safety is under a magnifying glass, omissions in official documentation can severely undermine public trust and regulatory confidence.
The DGCA is expected to release preliminary findings soon, with full reports likely to follow after the completion of technical analysis. In the meantime, Air India’s operational protocols and pilot training processes are expected to face heightened oversight.
