Mumbai, Mar 13: A London-bound Air India 747 flight returned to Mumbai following a major snag in one of its engines, shortly after take off. "There was a surge in the number one engine leading the Commander to shut down the engine and returning to Mumbai", an Air India official at the Sahar terminal said in Mumbai on Saturday.

However, an Air India spokesman said some smoke was detected by the ground staff shortly after take off which led to the aircraft returing to Mumbai.

The aircraft had to dump more than 10 tonnes of fuel and made a three-engine landing safely. An alternative aircraft has been made available to fly the passengers to their destinations.

There were more than 400 passengers plus crew on board the flight.
Bureau Report