NEW DELHI- An Air India (AI) pilot experienced a severe panic attack moments before takeoff at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), just one day after a tragic crash involving the same aircraft type claimed 279 lives.
The pilot was preparing to operate Flight AI 157 to Copenhagen (CPH) aboard a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner when he signaled the tower that a crew member was unwell, prompting the aircraft to return to the terminal.
The flight eventually departed with a replacement pilot and landed in Denmark two and a half hours behind schedule.
Air India Pilot Panic Attack
The incident occurred amid heightened tension within Air India’s cockpit crews, following the fatal crash of Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad (AMD) en route to London Heathrow (LHR), killing all 279 onboard.
Sources within the airline told The Sun that the panic attack was likely triggered by post-traumatic stress.
According to one internal report, several pilots have reported psychological distress, with some stating they repeatedly replay the crash in their minds. One even questioned whether he could ever return to flying duties.
Air India has issued an advisory encouraging all flight crew members to access mental health support, including the airline’s peer-based “buddy system.”
The pilot involved in the panic incident is now subject to a comprehensive medical evaluation before returning to duty, as mandated by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regulations, which require commercial pilots to pass annual medical tests.
Disruptions Ripple Across Air India
The panic attack incident marks the seventh flight disruption linked to the fallout from the AI 171 disaster.
On Tuesday, Flight AI 143 from Delhi (DEL) to Paris (CDG) was cancelled due to a technical fault detected during mandatory pre-flight checks. Consequently, its return leg from Paris was also called off.
Flight operations on the same route as the doomed aircraft, Ahmedabad to London (AMD–LHR) — were suspended, though the airline cited “airspace restrictions and precautionary checks” as the cause, rather than technical failures.
Additionally, a San Francisco (SFO) to Mumbai (BOM) service faced delays after an unscheduled engine issue during a fuel stop in Kolkata (CCU).
Within 48 hours of the crash, six international flights utilizing Boeing 787-8 aircraft were grounded. Another Dreamliner bound for Hong Kong (HKG) was forced to return mid-air on Monday due to suspected technical issues.
In an unrelated yet troubling incident, an Air India Phuket (HKT)–Delhi (DEL) flight made an emergency return following a bomb threat.
Safety and Confidence
While Air India has remained silent on the specific panic attack case, the airline is now under intense scrutiny as safety concerns escalate. With the 787 Dreamliner fleet forming a major part of its long-haul operations, the cascading impact of flight disruptions could deepen unless pilot confidence is swiftly restored.
The airline is expected to conduct both technical audits and psychological readiness assessments in the coming weeks to reassure the flying public and stabilize operations amid the ongoing crisis.
Airline and Industry Response
Air India’s response to the crisis includes enhanced safety measures, with India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation ordering additional maintenance checks on the airline’s Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleets equipped with GE Aerospace GEnx engines.
The recovery of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from the crash site is expected to provide critical insights into the cause of the disaster.
The airline has refrained from commenting on the pilot’s panic attack, focusing instead on supporting affected families and cooperating with investigators.
The incident raises broader questions about the aviation industry’s ability to address pilot mental health and maintain operational stability in the wake of catastrophic events.
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