Air India flight 'declares mayday' in horror emergency 30 minutes after take-off

An Air India flight bound for Indore declared (Image: Getty)

An Air India flight declared “mayday” as it made an emergency landing 30 minutes after the take off. The Air India aircraft – operated with an A320 neo aircraft under callsign AI2913 operating from New Delhi to Indore in India reported a fire indication in the right engine, it has been reported. 

The horror incident happened on Sunday (August 31) when the pilots operating the flight received a "fire indication" in the right engine of the aircraft. According to the sources, Air Traffic Control at Delhi Airport declared a full emergency, and rescue teams were immediately put on standby. 

Pilots reported fire indication in the right engine (engine number 2) shortly after take off (Image: Getty)

Air India confirmed that all the passengers and the crew members managed to land safely. The airline later arranged an alternate flight for the passengers to Indore. 

The affected aircraft has reportedly been grounded for a detailed engineering inspection to determine the cause of the fire indication, reports News 18. 

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will review the incident. 

Tata Group-owned airline said on Sunday without divulging further details: "Flight AI2913, operating from Delhi to Indore on August 31, air-returned to Delhi shortly after take off, as the cockpit crew received a fire indication for the right engine."

The incident comes months after an Air India flight tragically crashed just moments after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. In June this year, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was en route to London Gatwick when, within seconds of liftoff, both engines lost power due to a sudden fuel cutoff.

The aircraft plunged into the BJ Medical College hostel, located roughly 1.7 kilometres from the runway, causing extensive damage and a devastating fire.

Of the 242 people on board, 241 lost their lives, with only one passenger surviving.

Additionally, 19 people on the ground were killed and 67 others were injured.