DGCA records 65 in‑flight engine failures, 11 Mayday calls over five years

Data obtained by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) under an RTI request shows that 65 in-flight engine shutdowns occurred in Indian airspace over the past five years—averaging more than one per month.

Additionally, 11 Mayday distress calls were made in just 17 months between January 2024 and May 2025.

These figures exclude the Air India 171 crash in June, which has already intensified scrutiny of technical failures.

Most engine issues were reported on Boeing 787 Dreamliners and B737s, prompting the DGCA to issue a directive for airlines to inspect fuel control switch mechanisms by July 21, 2025.

DGCA Director of Air Safety AX Joseph stated that these numbers reflect the regulator's proactive reporting, and emphasized India’s safety oversight rank is 48th in the world—better than many but with notable room for improvement.

He clarified that engine shutdowns, while serious, are not unique to India and pilots have consistently managed safe landings using remaining engines.

However, aviation experts warn that repeated technical failures and emergency alerts underline persistent maintenance and regulatory lapses.

Following the Air India crash investigation, DGCA’s night audits have uncovered overdue inspections, worn-out simulator software, and inconsistent ground equipment checks—leading to stern directives to resolve issues within one week.

This update aligns with past incidents, including engine failures on Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet aircraft. Between 2020 and early 2025, Indian carriers reported 2,461 technical faults, sparking DGCA-ordered overhauls and accountability actions such as fines and managerial shake-ups.

In response to safety concerns, DGCA has reminded all airlines operating Boeing 787 and selected B737 fleets to complete control-switch inspections by the deadline.

The regulator also defended its performance, highlighting that only two years between 2010 and 2024 recorded accident rates above global averages.

But as India’s aircraft fleet expands—now over 1,200 planes—the DGCA faces growing challenges.

Experts urge more structured proactive oversight, improved simulator training, and stricter adherence to maintenance protocols to match global standards and restore passenger confidence.