For passengers on Air India&rsquo;s Delhi&ndash;Mumbai morning flight, what began as a routine journey quickly turned into an anxious wait in the sky. Barely an hour after take-off, the aircraft slowed, changed course, and headed back to where it began, not because of weather or traffic, but because something critical inside the plane wasn&rsquo;t right.
Midway through the climb, the cockpit crew noticed a sudden drop in oil pressure in the aircraft&rsquo;s right-hand engine. Moments later, the reading fell to zero. Following standard safety procedures, the pilots shut the engine down and decided there was only one safe choice: return to Delhi. Inside the cabin, around 355 passengers sat quietly as the massive Boeing 777 flew on one engine, carrying the weight of both machinery and human worry.
The aircraft landed safely at Delhi&rsquo;s Indira Gandhi International Airport, where relief replaced fear. Passengers disembarked without injury, though shaken. Many spoke of the unnerving silence midair, no panic, no drama, just the uneasy knowledge that something had gone wrong and trust was now placed entirely in the crew.
Air India arranged a replacement aircraft and provided refreshments while engineers began inspections. Aviation authorities have ordered a detailed investigation, underscoring that while the incident ended safely, every warning sign in the sky must be taken seriously. For those onboard, it was a reminder of how thin the line can be between an ordinary flight and a story they&rsquo;ll remember for years.

Engine oil pressure failure sends Mumbai-bound Boeing 777 back to Delhi safely

Midair Scare Forces Air India Turnback

Engine oil pressure failure sends Mumbai-bound Boeing 777 back to Delhi safely

December 22, 2025 | 18:27 IST