Air India 777 diversion in Russia

[jb747]

A few days ago, a 777 that was overflying Russia on the way to the USA was forced to divert to an airport within Russia. The recovery aircraft has been allowed to depart Russia, direct to the USA, but I wonder how AI will go about getting their aircraft back. Pretty much any parts they may need will be subject to sanctions, and if it's an engine, it may prove doubly problematic.

 

[docjames]

It hasn’t been touched on much here, but I’ve been following this as it’s fascinating at a lot of levels:

- how serious was the engine issue that that was their only option (noting flight route / diversion options are presumably limited)
- how well the local airport did (IMO) in accomodating passengers as best they could (or not as one’s individual viewpoint may be)
- recovery flight deployment
- recovery of aircraft (tbc…..)

Presumably there is some (?official) way to get around the sanctions but i cant imagine that’s easy or cheap or fast. It probably helps that India have “better” relations with Russia currently than other countries (Although how much that helps remains to be seen).

 

[Quickstatus]

Pretty much any parts they may need will be subject to sanctions

There are likely many exceptions (official and unofficial) in the "sanctions". Likely an export license will be needed for whatever parts.
The problem is if an engine is required, then what aircraft can carry them? Possibly the Ukranian Antonovs?

Does the 777 have a pod for a 3rd engine?

 

[Blackadder]

There are likely many exceptions (official and unofficial) in the "sanctions". Likely an export license will be needed for whatever parts.
The problem is if an engine is required, then what aircraft can carry them? Possibly the Ukranian Antonovs?

Does the 777 have a pod for a 3rd engine?

Wouldn't imagine so due to drag issues.

 

[Quickstatus]

drag issues

The 747, 707 and IIRC another (earlier era) aircraft can. QF carried underwing spare engines on both the 747 and 707. Of course, the extra drag would need to be accounted for, but it would be a ferry flight.

 

[Mwenenzi]

avherald

The Aviation Herald

Aviation Herald - News, Incidents and Accidents in Aviation

avherald.com

An Air India Boeing 777-200, registration VT-ALH performing flight AI-173 from Delhi (India) to San Francisco,CA (USA) with 216 passengers and 16 crew, was enroute at FL350 about 650nm north of Magadan (Russia) when the crew decided to turn around reporting problems with the right hand engine (GE90). The aircraft maintained FL350 on the way back, but about 140nm north of Magadan the crew decided to divert to Magadan and initiated the descent towards Magadan. The aircraft landed safely on Magadan's runway 10 about 100 minutes after turning around and about 30 minutes after leaving FL350.

The airline reported first the aircraft diverted due to unavoidable reasons and later stated there were technical problems with one of the engines.

The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Magadan about 8 hours after landing

 

[docjames]

Tough spot to have an issue. Probably ”worst” point on the route.

~1200mi to Sapporo (possibly best non-russia location), ~1800mi to ICN, Maybe some options in Northern China (but have to deal with flight paths, entry to china etc) - Harbin ~ 1400mi.. Still 1900mi to ANC.

They were obviously worried enough they landed at closest airport. Good call - keep everyone safe and deal with logistics later.

 

[Quickstatus]

Hopefully they just need a few parts and some engineers.

 

[Saab34]

I hope they have someone watching over it. The old part or two going missing is certainly probable!

 

[Blackadder]

Seems like it’s on its way home.

 

[Quickstatus]

I wonder if AI also ferried some parts and engineer to fix whatever needed to be fixed and now ableto be ferried back?

 

[Blackadder]

I wonder if AI also ferried some parts and engineer to fix whatever needed to be fixed and now ableto be ferried back?

Would imagine the rescue flight for the stranded pax, had the necessary engineers and parts on board.

 

[Forg]

Wow, those oligarchs move pretty slowly, coupla days & they let all those parts they could sell get away? I guess Russia’s pretty big, maybe not so easy to get their hands on a coupla dozen guys with automatic weapons & bribe the airport authorities by not killing them?

 

[jb747]

The 747, 707 and IIRC another (earlier era) aircraft can. QF carried underwing spare engines on both the 747 and 707. Of course, the extra drag would need to be accounted for, but it would be a ferry flight.

The 777 simply does not have the hard points for such carriage. End of story.

 

[docjames]

Good result overall.

Wonder what the exact failure was? We may never know. AI will be reluctant for after the event criticism of the need to divert if its perceived as ”minor” (noting my opinion the opposite - flying over a remote part of the world isn’t the place for “it’s minor let’s keep going”…..).

 

[dajop]

I wonder if AI also ferried some parts and engineer to fix whatever needed to be fixed and now ableto be ferried back?

Face slaps myself, after very momentarily thinking “AI algorithms now smart enough to organise plane to be repaired?”

Air India IATA code not a good one as we head into an uncertain future.

 

[Quickstatus]

I'm assuming the pilots and crew of the original 173 operated the 173D to SFO after a day and a bit rest

And the ferry crew operated back to BOM after a couple days rest?

 

[jb747]

Wonder what the exact failure was? We may never know.

It doesn't look to have involved an engine shutdown, as the section of their track that is shown on FR24 has them at FL350 on the diversion, which is too high for engine out.

I'm assuming the pilots and crew of the original 173 operated the 173D to SFO after a day and a bit rest

And the ferry crew operated back to BOM after a couple days rest?

Probably, but you never know with any form of crew scheduling.