An Air India Express Boeing 737 operating a flight from Kochi to Abu Dhabi was forced to return to its departure airport after the crew detected a rapid decline in the oil quantity of one of the aircraft’s engines, sources said.
Flight IX 415 had been airborne for around 50 minutes when the pilots noticed that the oil quantity in Engine 1 was falling rapidly. The aircraft was flying at an altitude of approximately 36,000 feet at the time.
With the oil level continuing to decrease, the flight crew assessed the situation and decided to discontinue the journey to Abu Dhabi and head back to Kochi as a precautionary measure. The decision was taken after evaluating the aircraft’s condition and the available options, sources said.
Following the detection of the abnormal engine indication, the pilots carried out a FORDEC assessment, a structured decision-making method used by flight crews during emergencies and abnormal situations.
The process involves evaluating the available facts, considering different options and assessing the risks before selecting the safest course of action. During the assessment, the crew continued to monitor Engine 1 as its oil quantity declined.
As the situation developed, the pilots concluded that returning to Kochi was the safest option instead of continuing the flight towards Abu Dhabi.
The situation subsequently escalated when the oil pressure of Engine 1 entered the danger zone. The crew then shut down the affected engine, according to sources.
Despite the engine shutdown, the Boeing 737 continued its return journey and was safely landed at Cochin International Airport.
The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft departed Kochi, with the technical issue emerging roughly 50 minutes into the flight. The crew's decision to turn back and subsequently shut down the affected engine ensured that the aircraft could be brought back safely to its departure airport.
The incident highlights the importance of cockpit monitoring and structured decision-making when pilots encounter an abnormal engine condition during flight.
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