Flight Plummets 900 Feet Mid-Air Triggering a ‘Don’t Sink’ Warning to Pilots

Flight Plummets 900 Feet Mid-Air Triggering a ‘Don’t Sink’ Warning to Pilots

An Air India flight is currently under investigation after experiencing a dramatic drop of 900 feet shortly after takeoff. This concerning incident occurred less than two days after another tragic Air India crash that claimed the lives of 241 individuals onboard. The flight in question was a Vienna-bound Boeing 777 that departed from the Indira Gandhi International Airport during the early hours of June 14.

Reports suggest that the aircraft received a “Don’t sink” warning from its ground proximity warning system (GPWS) soon after taking off. This alert is designed to inform pilots if their aircraft is descending at an excessive rate. Despite this sudden drop, the skilled pilots were able to regain control of the plane, ensuring a safe continuation of their 9-hour journey which eventually landed in Vienna at 8:34 a.m. local time.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported following the incident. However, the gravity of the situation prompted Air India to promptly report the matter to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulatory body. An Air India spokesperson stated, “Upon receipt of the pilot’s report, the matter was disclosed to DGCA in accordance with regulations,” while highlighting the initiation of a thorough investigation following the retrieval of data from the aircraft’s recorders.

The pilots involved have been temporarily grounded pending the outcome of the investigation. Both Air India and the DGCA have yet to respond to requests for further comments on the matter. These developments come amidst the ongoing investigation into the fatal Air India flight 171 crash that occurred on June 12, claiming the lives of 241 out of 242 individuals onboard.

The flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner destined for London from India, tragically crashed seconds after takeoff. While the specific cause of the crash remains undisclosed, authorities have recovered two damaged but usable black boxes from the crash site, offering a vital breakthrough in the investigation. Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, the Indian union minister of civil aviation, expressed optimism about the progress, stating that this development will significantly aid in the ongoing enquiry into the incident.

Remarkably, amidst the chaos of the crash, British passenger Vishwash Kumar Ramesh emerged as the sole survivor. Seated in emergency exit row seat 11A, Ramesh managed to escape through a nearby emergency exit door, leaving behind his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, who tragically did not survive the ordeal. The surviving brother’s harrowing account, as detailed by The New York Times, paints a poignant picture of loss and survival in the face of tragedy.

As investigations continue into both the recent plummet incident and the fatal crash, the aviation industry is faced with vital safety considerations. The need to ensure comprehensive safety measures and rigorous protocols to mitigate risks and prevent future tragedies is reinforced by these events. With the aviation community closely monitoring developments and advancements in the investigations, a heightened focus on safety and regulatory compliance remains paramount for all stakeholders involved in air travel.