New Delhi: Aviation safety concerns in India continue to mount in the wake of the tragic crash of an Air India flight bound for London from Ahmedabad, which left all but one passenger dead. As investigations into the fatal incident proceed, fresh data obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) query sheds light on a troubling pattern of technical failures in Indian commercial aviation.
According to documents accessed by The Times of India from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), 65 instances of in-flight engine shutdowns were reported across India between 2020 and mid-2025. These incidents occurred either during takeoff or while airborne.
In addition, the data reveals that between January 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025, a total of 11 flights issued ‘Mayday’ distress calls, requesting emergency landings due to critical technical malfunctions. Of these, four flights had to be diverted to Hyderabad.
These figures do not include the high-profile June 12 crash involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, or the IndiGo Guwahati–Chennai flight incident on June 19, which was diverted to Bengaluru due to low fuel levels.
The DGCA’s RTI response states: “A total of 65 incidents related to in-flight shutdown of engines from 2020 to 2025 (till date) were reported across India.” In every case, pilots were able to land the aircraft safely using the unaffected engine, averting further disaster.
Anil Rao, secretary of the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA), explained the gravity of such emergencies: “Flight crew initiate MAYDAY calls when confronted with critical emergencies such as aircraft fires, engine failures or situations posing imminent danger, necessitating immediate landing or grounding as continued flight becomes unsafe.”
Captain C S Randhawa, president of the Federation of Indian Pilots, elaborated on common technical causes, “Primary causes of engine shutdowns include blocked fuel filters, fuel contamination with water, interrupted fuel supply to engines, and foreign objects entering engine stack, all of which can halt flight operations.”
On average, India sees at least one engine shutdown every month. While none of the 65 reported engine failures led to casualties thanks to pilot response and aircraft design, the frequency underscores growing concerns about aviation oversight and aircraft maintenance standards.
As the investigation into the recent Air India tragedy continues, these RTI findings bring renewed focus to the need for systemic improvements in aviation safety and crisis preparedness.
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