A pilot of Air India collapsed on Friday in the cockpit just before he was to operate the airline's flight from Bengaluru to Delhi on Friday, reports news agency PTI, quoting sources. According to the report, Air India confirmed that there was a medical emergency involving one of its pilots in the early hours of July 4, who was rostered to operate its flight AI 2414 to Delhi from Bengaluru.

"There was a medical emergency involving one of our pilots in the early hours of July 4. As a result, the pilot was unable to operate the flight AI2414 from Bengaluru to Delhi, that he was rostered for, and was taken to a local hospital immediately," Air India said in a statement.

According to PTI sources, the pilot in the cockpit was about to sign the mandatory documents—the tech log—to accept the aircraft for flying when he collapsed there. The airline, detailing the health condition of the pilot, said that he is fine but is under the supervision of the doctors.

Consequently, AI2414 was delayed and operated by another pilot, Air India said. Our immediate priority is to assist the pilot and his family to ensure his speedy recovery, the airline said in the statement.

"He is currently stable but continues to be under the supervision of doctors at the same hospital. Consequently, AI2414 was delayed and operated by another member of our cockpit crew. Our immediate priority is to assist the pilot and his family to ensure his speedy recovery,” the airline said. 

Air India Express Pilot Dies Due To Cardiac Arrest

Earlier, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered probe into the  the sudden death of an Air India Express pilot, who died of a cardiac arrest at the Delhi airport shortly after taking off from Srinagar on April 9.

In a order dated April 17, Directorate General of Civil Aviation said, "In exercise of power under Rule 13(1) of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules 2017, I hereby order investigation of Sudden Cardiac arrest to M/s AIXL First Officer while operating Flight IX-1153 from Srinagar to Delhi on 09.04.2025 and appoint Sh. Vishal Yadav, Dy Director Air Safety, as Investigator-in-Charge and Gp Capt Murtaza, DMS (CA), Subject Matter Expert as a Member for carrying out the investigation."

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has directed the team to submit the final investigation report as soon as possible, preferably within a six-month period.