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Air India Boeing 777 mid‑air alert
On the early morning of June 14, 2025, Air India flight AI 187, a Boeing 777‑300ER, departed from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 2:56 AM IST, bound for Vienna. Just minutes into the ascent, while traversing severe thunderstorms, the aircraft lost approximately 900 feet in altitude during its climb through roughly 3,100 feet, triggering a series of serious cockpit warnings – including the stick shaker, stall alert, and two “Don’t sink” GPWS alarms.
The stick shaker – a forceful vibration in the yoke – warns pilots of an impending stall, demanding immediate and corrective action. Almost simultaneously, the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) issued “Don’t sink” alerts, alerting the crew that the aircraft was descending too close to the terrain. The pilots successfully recovered control, stabilized the jet, and allowed it to continue to Vienna, touching down safely after a nine‑hour flight.
Compounding Worries: A Shadow of Ahmedabad
This incident occurred a mere 38 hours after the catastrophic crash of Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, which crashed near Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 241 of the 242 people on board, plus others on the ground. The proximity of these two wide‑body aircraft incidents has intensified public concern and heightened scrutiny on Air India’s safety standards and oversight.
Following the AI 171 tragedy, the DGCA ordered expedited inspections and stricter oversight of Air India’s Boeing 787 and 777 fleets; several international flights—such as London, Paris, and Vienna—were temporarily removed from service, leading to a 15% reduction in wide‑body operations.
Delayed Disclosure Sparks Regulatory Action
Initial after‑flight reports from the AI 187 cockpit only mentioned “stick shaker due to turbulence,” omitting both GPWS and stall alerts. Only through flight data recorder (FDR) analysis did the full sequence of alerts emerge – notably, the stall warning and two “Don’t sink” cautions that were initially concealed.
Upon receiving the complete information, Air India promptly notified the DGCA, triggering a formal investigation. Both flight crew members have been grounded pending inquiry, and the airline’s Head of Safety has been summoned for questioning.
What the DGCA Is Looking Into
- Weather impact: The investigation is assessing how severe thunderstorms may have contributed to the altitude loss and triggered the stick shaker.
- Technical integrity: Analysis will determine whether mechanical or system failures—perhaps involving sensors or flight control systems—played a role.
- Crew decision-making: The DGCA is evaluating pilot response and whether all proper protocols were followed in reporting the incident.
- Operational compliance: A deeper audit is underway into Air India’s crew rostering practices, pilot training, and reliability of their Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC).
Additionally, following public and parliamentary concern, India’s Parliamentary Transport Committee summoned officials from Boeing and the Civil Aviation Ministry—an action that echoes the seriousness following the AI 171 crash.
Air India’s Response
Air India has taken several steps to reaffirm its commitment to safety:
- Voluntarily reporting the AI 187 incident immediately after the full data was analyzed.
- Grounding both pilots and initiating an internal probe.
- Scaling back international operations by about 15% to accommodate extensive fleet checks and inspections.
- Coordinating with DGCA, AAIB, and Boeing, while promising transparency and compliance with any regulatory outcomes.
In an email to customers following the Ahmedabad crash, brand new CEO Campbell Wilson detailed ongoing enhanced safety inspections, stating that 26 of 33 Boeing 787s have been cleared—while similar checks are now extending to the 777 fleet.
Safety Matters: Risk Context and Industry Outlook
- A 900-foot loss amid stall and proximity warnings is a serious incident—especially given the proximity in time to the Ahmedabad disaster—raising questions about Air India’s operational resilience.
- Pilots’ delay in reporting complete warnings may indicate systems or procedural oversights in the cockpit-to-regulator communication loop.
- The high-frequency pairing of the two incidents has spurred speculation: Are they isolated events, or symptomatic of systemic issues in maintenance, training, or oversight?
The DGCA’s immediate directive and the Parliamentary summons mirror a zero-tolerance posture—any significant findings may result in penalties, operational restrictions, or mandated reforms.
Stakeholder Reactions & Industry Implications
| Stakeholder | Reaction / Action |
| DGCA | Launched investigation; grounded pilots; audit on crew scheduling and IOCC |
| Parliament Committee | Summoned Boeing and civil aviation officials focusing on Air India safety compliance |
| Boeing | Engaged in consultation, per previous AI 171 response; likely providing technical support |
| Passengers/Public | Concerned over back-to-back incidents; airline refunds and rescheduling underway |
| Aviation Analysts | Watching closely for links between weather, mechanical systems, and human factors |
Looking Ahead
The DGCA’s probe is expected to yield an interim report in a few weeks, specifically regarding AI 187. Another full public report into the catastrophic Flight AI 171 crash is scheduled in the coming three months.
Pending those reports, key focal points include:
- Crew training systems: Ensuring pilots are prepared to respond to rare stall/proximity warnings.
- Operational transparency: Boosting real-time reporting from cockpit, IOCC, and flight data systems.
- Fleet-wide inspections: Possible disruptions to global schedules remain until all checks are complete.
- Regulatory reforms: Potential new DGCA mandates on maintenance protocols, safety audits, or oversight procedures.
Conclusion: A Watershed Moment for Air India
Flight AI 187’s alarm-triggering 900‑foot drop serves as a stark reality check, coming on the heels of the tragic AI 171 crash. While the aircraft landed safely, the event raises serious questions about Air India’s safety culture, regulatory transparency, and fleet readiness.
This incident is shaping into a potential turning point for India’s flag carrier—and may fundamentally alter aviation oversight, pilot training, and maintenance regimes across its entire long‑haul fleet. With multiple agencies now fully engaged, swift and decisive resolutions will be crucial—not just for Air India, but for rebuilding public trust in Indian aviation.
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