An Air India Express flight heading to Abu Dhabi turned back to Kochi after the crew detected a rapid drop in engine oil pressure, leading to an engine shutdown before a safe landing.
KOCHI — An Abu Dhabi-bound Air India Express flight turned back mid-air and made a safe precautionary landing at Cochin International Airport after the flight crew detected a rapid drop in engine oil quantity, which eventually triggered a critical pressure warning in one of its engines.
The incident occurred aboard flight IX 415, a Boeing 737 aircraft carrying passengers from Kochi to Abu Dhabi.
Rapid Oil Drop at 36,000 Feet
According to aviation sources, the aircraft was approximately 50 minutes into its journey and cruising at an altitude of 36,000 feet when the pilot and co-pilot noticed the oil level in Engine 1 dropping at an alarming rate.
Following standard operational protocols, the crew conducted a structured risk and decision-making assessment (FORDEC). As the oil levels continued to decline steadily, the commander decided to abandon the flight path to Abu Dhabi and initiate a return to Kochi.
The commander notified Air Traffic Control via Mumbai Radio to request course reversal, and the aircraft turned back toward Kerala while the crew closely monitored the failing engine parameters.
Engine Shut Down Mid-Flight
Roughly 45 minutes after reversing course, oil pressure gauges for Engine 1 began fluctuating before dropping into the red “danger” zone.
Following the aircraft’s Non-Normal Checklist (NNC), the flight crew safely executed an in-flight shutdown of Engine 1 and proceeded to land the aircraft using a single engine. Despite the challenging operational situation, the aircraft landed smoothly at Cochin International Airport.
Airline Response
An Air India Express spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating that the decision to turn back was made strictly in line with established safety protocols.
“A week ago, one of our Kochi-Abu Dhabi flights made an air turnback in line with established safety protocols. Guests were subsequently connected to Abu Dhabi on an alternative aircraft,” the airline stated, adding that misleading reports lacking context could cause unnecessary concern for the traveling public.
