Air India Express' Abu Dhabi-bound flight forced to return to Kochi after engine oil warning: ‘Danger’ | India News - Hindustan Times

**Air India Express Flight Returns to Kochi After Engine Oil Warning**

An Air India Express Airbus A320 operating flight IX 415 from Kochi to Abu Dhabi was forced to turn back and land at Kochi International Airport on Tuesday after the cockpit crew received an alarming drop in engine‑oil pressure. The warning, which appeared approximately 50 minutes into the flight at an altitude of about 36,000 feet, triggered the aircraft’s “danger” alarm for the left‑hand engine. The crew followed standard emergency procedures, declared a precautionary diversion, and safely returned to the departure airport, where the plane touched down with a higher than normal landing weight due to retained fuel.

Air India Express released a statement confirming that the aircraft landed without injury to any of the 154 passengers and eight crew members on board. The airline’s spokesperson said that the plane underwent a thorough inspection by the airline’s engineering team and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) before being cleared for further service. Preliminary findings indicated that a sudden loss of oil quantity, likely caused by a sensor fault or a minor leak, prompted the automatic shutdown of engine 1. The airline has arranged alternate transport for passengers and is coordinating with the Abu Dhabi authorities for re‑booking.

The incident adds to a series of recent engine‑oil‑related alerts in the region, prompting aviation regulators to reaffirm the importance of rigorous maintenance checks on oil‑pressure sensors and related systems. The DGCA has announced that it will review the airline’s maintenance logs for the aircraft and conduct random audits on similar fleet types. While the aircraft sustained no structural damage, the event underscores the critical role of real‑time monitoring systems in preventing potential in‑flight failures and ensuring passenger safety.