An Air India flight scheduled to travel from Delhi to London was abruptly halted during takeoff due to a suspected technical malfunction, sparking renewed discussions about aviation safety measures.
Passengers aboard flight AI-161 reported feeling a sudden jolt as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner accelerated down the runway at Indira Gandhi International Airport before the pilots initiated an emergency stop.
Incident Details
According to aviation sources, the aircraft had reached approximately 80 knots when the crew detected an unspecified anomaly in one of the systems. Following standard safety procedures, the pilots immediately aborted the takeoff procedure.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 AM local time, with all 231 passengers and crew members safely disembarking via emergency slides as a precautionary measure.
Passenger Accounts
"We felt a strong vibration followed by sudden braking," recounted one passenger. "The cabin crew remained remarkably calm and guided us through the evacuation process."
Another traveller described scenes of controlled chaos as airport emergency services rushed to the scene, though no injuries were reported.
Airline Response
Air India released a statement confirming the incident: "Flight AI-161 from Delhi to London aborted takeoff due to a technical observation by the crew. All passengers were safely deplaned and accommodated on alternative flights."
Aviation experts have praised the crew's swift response, noting that aborting takeoff when any doubt exists about aircraft safety represents standard - and potentially life-saving - procedure.
Investigation Underway
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incident. Preliminary reports suggest the issue may have involved the aircraft's hydraulic systems, though officials stress this remains unconfirmed.
This incident marks the third such occurrence for Indian carriers in the past month, prompting calls for enhanced maintenance checks across the industry.
