Air India Flight's Autopilot Fails, Pilots Divert to Dubai
Pilots manually fly Air India jet after autopilot malfunction.
An Air India Boeing 787-8 flight, AI154, carrying over 251 passengers from Vienna to Delhi, was forced to divert to Dubai on Thursday, October 9, 2025, after a mid-air autopilot system failure, raising alarms about the aircraft’s critical systems. The dramatic incident, which unfolded during a nighttime flight, saw skilled pilots take manual control to safely land the plane, averting a potential crisis thousands of feet above ground.
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) reported to the Ministry of Civil Aviation that the autopilot malfunction stemmed from an electrical issue, triggering a cascade of failures in key systems, including the Instrument Landing System, Flight Directors, and Flight Control System, rendering the aircraft incapable of autoland. “The pilots could not engage the autopilots due to electrical malfunctions,” FIP President Captain C.S. Randhawa wrote, praising the crew’s expertise in manually navigating the jet to a safe landing in Dubai. “We compliment the skill of the pilots to fly the aircraft at night with limited automation.”
A senior pilot explained the gravity of the situation, noting that manual flying at high altitudes—typically above 28,000 feet for a 9-to-10-hour transcontinental journey—is highly challenging due to sensitive control surfaces and thin air density. “Most pilots aren’t trained for sustained manual flight at such heights, and fuel constraints make it unsustainable,” he said, suggesting the crew’s decision to divert was critical to avoid running out of fuel or losing control.
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Air India, however, downplayed the incident, denying claims of a broad electrical failure. “AI154 was diverted to Dubai due to a technical issue,” the airline’s spokesperson stated. “The aircraft landed safely, underwent necessary checks, and departed Dubai at 8:45 a.m., reaching Delhi at 12:19 p.m.” The airline emphasized that passengers were kept informed, provided refreshments, and that the issue was resolved swiftly, clarifying it was not an emergency landing.
The incident has spotlighted safety concerns in modern aviation, where autopilots are typically engaged shortly after takeoff to manage long-haul flights. The FIP’s letter underscored that the degraded systems left pilots with minimal automation, a scenario that demanded exceptional skill to navigate, especially at night. The successful landing in Dubai, followed by a two-hour delay before continuing to Delhi, highlighted the crew’s professionalism amid high-stakes conditions.
As investigations begin, questions swirl about the Boeing 787’s maintenance and the reliability of its systems, especially given Air India’s ongoing fleet modernization. For now, the safe resolution owes much to the pilots’ quick thinking, ensuring all 251 passengers reached their destination unharmed, albeit with a detour that few will forget.
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