A recent report has raised alarm over the increasing number of engine-related incidents in Indian aviation. Between 2020 and mid-2025, 65 cases of in-flight engine shutdowns have been recorded across various airlines in India, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). While all affected aircraft landed safely using the remaining engine, these incidents highlight growing technical concerns in the industry.

Air India Crash Linked to Fuel Cut-Off

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released a 15-page preliminary report on the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that recently crashed. The report indicates the accident was caused by fuel supply interruption shortly after takeoff. Although the engines were restarted, the report mentions pilot confusion during the critical moments, which contributed to the mishap. Experts warn that while pilots are trained to manage such failures, some technical glitches can escalate beyond control.

RTI Data Reveals Alarming Trends

An RTI response by the DGCA confirmed that engine shutdowns have occurred both during and shortly after takeoff. The report identified several key causes, including:

• Fuel filter blockages

• Water contamination in fuel

• Disrupted fuel supply

• Foreign object ingestion into engines

Captain C.S. Randhawa, President of the Federation of Indian Pilots, emphasized the role of these technical issues in compromising flight safety.

11 Emergency Mayday Calls in 17 Months

From January 2024 to May 2025, Indian aircraft made 11 mayday distress calls—emergency alerts requesting immediate landing due to critical technical issues. Notably, the list does not include:

• Air India Flight AI-171 (Ahmedabad to London) incident on June 12

• IndiGo’s Guwahati-Chennai flight diversion on June 19

Out of the 11 distress calls, four planes landed in Hyderabad, highlighting its role as an emergency response hub.

Experts Say Not Uncommon, But Worrying

While global aviation sees such technical failures occasionally, the frequency of incidents in India has raised concern. The Airline Pilots Association of India reassured that mayday signals are standard emergency protocols. Still, the growing number of failures has prompted calls for stricter maintenance checks, fuel quality assurance, and improved pilot training to handle such emergencies.