Mid Air Scare: Mumbai bound Air India flight makes emergency landing in Delhi, Read to know why

December 22, 2025

An Air India flight from Delhi to Mumbai had to make an emergency landing just 40 minutes after takeoff. According to reports, the right engine of flight AI887 shut down after takeoff due to zero oil pressure. This forced the plane to return to Delhi airport.

The plane had taken off at 6:10 AM as AI 887 for Mumbai but after the engine oil pressure drops to zero, the flight made an emergency landing at 6:52 AM. Although twin-engine planes can land safely with only one engine, the decision was made to return immediately.

According to the flight tracking website Flightradar24.com, the aircraft was in the air for approximately one hour after takeoff. There were approximately 335 people on board. Arrangements have been made to send all of them on another flight.

Ministry of Civil Aviation seeks a report from Air India

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has taken action on the incident involving Air India flight AI-887, which experienced a technical malfunction shortly after takeoff. The ministry has sought a detailed report from Air India and has also directed the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) to conduct a thorough investigation.

The ministry has also instructed the airline to provide all possible assistance to the passengers and accommodate them on subsequent flights.

No unusual findings in maintenance history

News agency PTI, citing sources associated with the DGCA, reported that the aircraft made a U-turn in mid-air because the flight crew observed low oil pressure in the right engine during flap retraction after takeoff. The source also stated that a review of past records was conducted, but no unusual findings regarding oil consumption were found.

Zero oil pressure is dangerous, but a safe landing is possible

Zero oil pressure in an aircraft engine is considered a very serious technical situation, but it doesn’t always mean an immediate crash. When the oil pressure drops to zero, lubrication does not reach the engine’s moving parts. This is a critical situation, but it can be managed.

If the flight continues with zero oil pressure, the engine can overheat within minutes. If operated for too long, the engine can fail.

However, nowadays, planes can land safely even with only one engine. In such situations, the pilots reduce or shut off the engine power and land at the nearest airport.