San Francisco–Mumbai Air India AI180 Forced to Disembark Passengers After Engine Malfunction
Kolkata/Mumbai, 17th June 2025: Passengers aboard Air India flight AI180 from San Francisco to Mumbai faced an unexpected delay and inconvenience after a technical fault in the aircraft’s engine forced an unscheduled halt in Kolkata early Tuesday morning.
The Boeing 777-200LR aircraft landed in Kolkata at 12:45 am as part of its scheduled route but was unable to resume its journey to Mumbai at the designated time of 2:00 am due to a malfunction in the left engine. After waiting for over three hours onboard, the flight’s captain announced at around 5:20 am that all passengers would need to disembark for safety reasons.
“The decision was made purely with passenger safety in mind,” said a crew member familiar with the situation.
While no injuries were reported, several passengers expressed frustration over the lack of timely communication and clarity about further arrangements. Air India has yet to issue an official statement on the incident or provide details on rebooking or compensation for affected travelers.
Pattern of Technical Issues Raises Questions
This latest incident adds to a concerning pattern of technical faults involving Boeing aircraft operating in and out of Indian airports over the past few days.
June 16, Monday: Three Boeing Aircraft Returned
Air India AI315 (Hong Kong to Delhi): The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner returned mid-route due to a technical issue.
Air India Express (Delhi to Ranchi): A Boeing 737 Max 8 flight was turned back shortly after takeoff over suspected technical problems.
Another Delhi–Ranchi Flight: Also returned for technical checks, though details remain scarce.
June 15, Sunday: Two Mid-Air Returns
British Airways (London to Chennai): A Dreamliner flight returned due to a technical snag.
Lufthansa (Frankfurt to Hyderabad): A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner received a bomb threat mid-air and was not allowed to land in India, forcing a return.
Lucknow Scare: Sparks During Landing
Adding to the string of aviation-related scares, a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight (SV-3112) carrying Haj pilgrims from Jeddah to Lucknow emitted sparks and smoke from its wheels during landing at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport on Sunday. The pilot’s swift action and the airport fire crew’s rapid response averted what could have been a serious incident. All 250 passengers onboard, including crew, were safely evacuated.
No AC for 5 Hours: Air India Express Faces Flak
In yet another passenger ordeal, more than 150 passengers on Air India Express flight IX-196 from Dubai to Jaipur were made to sit for over five hours without air conditioning, drinking water, or assistance. The flight, scheduled to depart at 7:25 pm on June 13, eventually took off around 12:44 am and landed in Jaipur the following morning.
Videos showing distressed passengers went viral on social media, prompting criticism of Air India’s passenger care and maintenance protocols.
A Wake-Up Call for Indian Aviation?
With six Boeing aircraft-related incidents in just three days, including one involving Haj pilgrims, aviation safety experts and industry stakeholders are calling for urgent technical audits and greater transparency.
“This is a clear indication of lapses in maintenance and operational oversight,” said an aviation analyst based in Delhi. “The DGCA must step in to audit fleets and enforce stricter compliance.”
Passengers affected by these incidents are also demanding accountability and fair compensation.
