A Boeing 777-300ER, registration VT-ALK, operated by Air India with more than 300 souls on board, developed an oil leak on a flight from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi. As such, the 777-300ER made a diversion landing at Stockholm Arlanda International Airport (ARN).
Air India flight AI106
According to data from FlightRadar24.com, Air India flight AI106 took off at 11:31 local time on February 21, 2023, from EWR, just 16 minutes late. The flight then climbed to a cruising altitude of 33,000 feet when, due to an oil leak that had been reported by cockpit instrumentation after passing Sweden, the 777 began a rapid descent to a safe landing at Stockholm Arlanda International Airport.
During this descent, the leaking number two engine shut down and firefighters prepared to tackle the 777 upon landing as a precaution.
However, the landing was uneventful about seven hours after the flight took off at Newark, a major airport serving the megalopolis of New York City. The souls on board were able to disembark safely in Stockholm.
About VT-ALK
The Boeing 777-300ER in question is registered VT-ALK. According to ch-aviation.com, Air India ordered VT-ALK on 30 December 2005. It then had a first flight on 16 October 2007 and is currently 15.37 years old. Finally, ch-aviation.com indicates that Air India currently has 13 Boeing 777-300ERs in its fleet with an average age of 13.3 years.
VT-ALK is configured with 306 economy seats, 35 business seats and four first class seats. Each seat includes in-flight entertainment.
The Boeing 777-300ER comes with two GE90-115B turbofan engines. These engines, according to General Electric, produce 115,300 pounds of thrust at sea level with a diameter of 135 inches.
Previous incidences of VT-ALK
VT-ALK was involved in an incident in 2013 where, at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, the aircraft collided with a JetBlue Airbus A320. The JetBlue A320 suffered rudder damage. according to ABC7NY, the Air India 777-300ER had a damaged left wingtip.
According to NDTV.com, on 18 July 2015, VT-ALK was caught in a strong wind event peaking at 48 knots at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI). This time, the 777-300ER’s right engine thrust reverser was damaged after being hit by a container.
On 16 August 2017, according to India Today and the tweet above, VT-ALK had its emergency slide accidentally deployed at Mumbai International Airport (BOM) while one engine was running. No one was injured, however. “… the plane had not reached its final position, and the pilot had not signaled the door open.”
But according to the tweet above, VT-ALK was part of the Indian government’s efforts to bring stranded citizens home during the height of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Do you think the VT-ALK is a safe aircraft to fly? Please civilly let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Sources: abc7NY, NDTV.com
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Water from India
- IATA/ICAO code:
- AI/AIC
- Airline type:
- Full service carrier
- Hub(s):
- Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport
- Year of foundation:
- 1946
- Alliance:
- Star Alliance
- CEO:
- Campbell Wilson
- Country:
- India
