Bengaluru, India: A Commercial Pilot scheduled to operate Air India flight AI 2414 from Bengaluru to Delhi collapsed inside the cockpit just before takeoff on Friday morning, triggering a delay and raising fresh concerns about pilot health and fatigue within the aviation sector.
Pilot Collapses During Pre-Flight Checks
The incident occurred at Kempegowda International Airport while the flight crew was completing mandatory pre-flight procedures. According to sources, the pilot fell ill while signing the aircraft’s technical log, a standard requirement before pushback. Airport medical teams and ground staff responded promptly, and the pilot was transported to a nearby hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition.
Air India confirmed the incident stating, “The operating pilot on AI 2414 (Bengaluru–Delhi sector) reported unwell during pre-flight checks and was immediately attended to. A standby pilot was arranged, and the flight departed with a revised schedule. The pilot is under medical care and is stable. All relevant safety procedures were followed.”
Flight Departed After Crew Replacement
Air India quickly activated its standby crew protocol. The replacement pilot assumed command of the flight after mandatory clearance checks. Flight AI 2414, originally scheduled to depart at 3:05 AM IST, eventually took off at 4:36 AM IST and landed in Delhi at approximately 7:30 AM. Passengers were kept informed during the delay, and no further disruptions were reported.
This medical emergency comes just weeks after another concerning incident involving pilot health. On April 9, 2025, a First Officer with Air India Express suffered a fatal cardiac arrest shortly after operating a domestic flight from Srinagar to Delhi.
According to reports, the young pilot, identified as Captain Armaan, vomited inside the cockpit shortly after landing. He exited the aircraft and collapsed outside the galley area. Emergency services rushed him to the hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival.
The back-to-back nature of these incidents has led to growing concern about health risks among commercial pilots, especially in the wake of demanding flight schedules and overnight duties.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been actively monitoring airline crew rostering practices, particularly at Air India. Earlier this year, the regulator identified multiple violations in flight and duty time limitations (FDTL) and rest requirements. Following an internal audit, Air India removed several officials involved in crew scheduling.
The DGCA is also in the process of implementing revised FDTL norms effective July 2025. Key changes include:
- Increasing weekly rest time from 36 to 48 hours
- Limiting the number of night landings to two per week
- Capping consecutive night duties to three
- Mandatory off-duty period for red-eye (overnight) flights
These changes aim to reduce fatigue-related risks and improve operational safety across Indian carriers.
