An Air India flight AI 2913 air-returned to Delhi shortly after take-off, as the cockpit crew received a fire indication for the right engine on August 31. The pilot initially gave a Mayday call to air traffic control but later downgraded it to PAN-PAN to indicate urgency rather than an emergency.
An Air India spokesperson said: “Flight AI 2913, operating from Delhi to Indore on 31 August, air-returned to Delhi shortly after take-off, as the cockpit crew received a fire indication for the right engine. Following standard procedure, the cockpit crew elected to shut down the engine and returned to Delhi where the flight landed safely. The crew had initially made a MAYDAY call to the air traffic control, but later downgraded it to PAN-PAN to indicate urgency rather than an emergency. We confirm that the flight did not make an emergency landing at Delhi.”
The aircraft has been grounded for inspection, and passengers are being transferred to an alternative aircraft which will operate the flight to Indore shortly. The regulator has been duly informed of the incident, airline spokesperson further said in a statement.
We regret the inconvenience caused to the passengers. At Air India, the safety of passengers and crew are our top priority, it added.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to look into the matter.
