Passengers on the Hong Kong to Delhi Air India flight AI-314 had a mid-air scare on June 1, when a door on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner started shaking and producing hissing and growling noises about an hour into flight time. The noise was temporarily sealed by the crew using paper napkins, and the plane landed uneventfully in Hong Kong.
The incident occurred on flight AI-314, which departed Delhi at 11:45 PM, over an hour behind schedule. About an hour into the flight, a passenger noticed strange noises from the aircraft door. “About an hour after take-off, the door started shaking and making noises. It seemed the door seal came off due to air pressure,” said a recent social media post quoting the passenger.
Flight attendants moved in by filling the gap at the top of the door using paper napkins and pressing hard to reduce the noise. In spite of the disruption, the flight proceeded to its destination and landed successfully.
Air India Responds: Safety Not Compromised
Air India subsequently put out an official statement confirming the incident and that the aircraft was inspected thoroughly upon landing in Hong Kong. “A hissing sound began coming from the decorative door panel during flight, and upon finding there was no threat to safety, the crew intervened to mitigate the noise,” the statement said.
After arriving at Hong Kong airport, the aircraft was checked by the engineers. All safety parameters were found to be within the limits, and the aircraft was fit for service. There was no such noise during the return flight AI-315 from Hong Kong to Delhi. We would like to say once again that the safety of our passengers and crew is the number one priority,” Air India further added.
What Caused the Noise? Aviation Experts Weigh In
Aviation experts explained that pressure differences at cruising altitude may cause such issues. One expert said, “As the aircraft climbs, the atmospheric pressure difference within and outside the aircraft increases. If the door seal is compromised, pressurised air could leak through it, making these noises.”
Unlike some other aircraft models, such as the Boeing 777 or 737, the Boeing 787 employs electronically monitored plug-type doors. These doors open by swinging outward, then forward, and seal into the fuselage to preserve cabin pressure. Manual door systems are more prominent on older aircraft.
Not an Isolated Incident in Air India: Other Airlines Faced Similar Cases
This was not the first occasion when a Boeing 787 had door-related noise problems during flight. In August 2019, a Japan Airlines 787 flew back to Tokyo after growls and vibrations were heard by passengers coming from a door. A small gap in the seal of the door let pressurized air leak out.
In February 2022, a TUI Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Punta Cana diverted after hearing howling sounds from a door seal. An American Airlines flight from Philadelphia to Paris in October 2022 made an emergency return to Philadelphia after fumes were smelled around two doors.
In all instances, such as the Air India case, there was no cabin pressurization loss, and oxygen masks did not have to be deployed by pilots. “This type of leak can occur if a door seal is just a bit misaligned or has worn out. It does not compromise cabin pressurisation in any way,” said a senior commander.
Expert Insight: One-Off or Repeated Maintenance Flaw?
Capt Amit Singh, a flight safety expert, had a pertinent question: “The question is, was it a one-off thing or is it a regular occurrence? It could be a combination of maintenance issues and how the door was closed.”
Although no passengers were hurt and no official probe has been initiated as of yet, the accident has further fueled fears over the Boeing 787 series, particularly following the June 12 Ahmedabad crash of a different Dreamliner plane that resulted in 275 fatalities.