India’s civil aviation sector is under scrutiny as the Ministry of Civil Aviation reported six aircraft engine shutdown incidents and three Mayday calls from January to July 2025. Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol shared the data in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, revealing that IndiGo and SpiceJet each faced two engine shutdowns, while Air India and Alliance Air reported one each. The alarming figures highlight growing concerns about aviation safety in the country.

The ministry also noted three Mayday calls, including one from Air India Flight AI-171, a London Gatwick-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, killing 260 people. IndiGo and Air India Express each reported one additional Mayday call, signaling life-threatening emergencies requiring urgent assistance. A pilot’s triple “Mayday” call is a critical alert to air traffic controllers, indicating immediate danger.

In a separate response, Mohol addressed the ongoing investigation into the Air India crash, stating that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s preliminary report, released on July 12, remains inconclusive. He emphasized that all potential causes, including sabotage, are being thoroughly examined to determine the factors behind the tragedy. The probe continues, with a final report expected to take months.

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Additionally, Mohol disclosed that 36 aviation accidents have been reported since 2022, involving various aircraft types, including scheduled, non-scheduled, trainee, private, and helicopters. The series of incidents has prompted calls for stricter safety measures and heightened oversight to prevent future mishaps in India’s rapidly growing aviation sector.

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