An Air France Boeing 777 operating a flight from Bengaluru to Paris declared an emergency in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan last night.
Information has been released pertinent to the incident at hand.
Below is what we know on this so far:
Incident Report: Engine Failure and Diversion to Ashgabat of Air France Flight AF191 Bengaluru-Paris (F-GSPI)
Date of Occurrence: January 12, 2026
Aircraft: Boeing 777-228ER, Registration F-GSPI
Operator: Air France
Flight Number: AF191
Route: Bengaluru (BLR), India to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), France
Incident Location: Southeast of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Cause: Engine failure (GE90-94B)
Airframe Status: Grounded in Ashgabat as of January 13, 2026
Summary of Events In Ashgabat
On January 12, 2026, Air France flight AF191, operated by Boeing 777-228ER registered F-GSPI, experienced an in-flight engine failure while cruising at FL360 approximately 90 nautical miles southeast of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
The aircraft was enroute from Bengaluru to Paris when one of its General Electric GE90-94B engines developed a fault. In response, the flight crew initiated an engine shutdown and commenced a controlled descent to FL210.
The aircraft diverted to Ashgabat International Airport, executing a safe landing on runway 11L approximately 50 minutes after the engine shutdown. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
The aircraft remained on the ground in Ashgabat following the incident, with no immediate indication of its return to service.
Passenger Experience and Operational Impact on the Paris-bound Flight
Passengers aboard AF191 reported a significant delay prior to departure from Bengaluru, with the flight eventually departing around 2:00 AM local time—nearly 10 hours behind schedule.
Following the diversion and landing in Ashgabat, passengers remained onboard for several hours before being allowed to disembark.
They were subsequently accommodated in local hotels.
Air France dispatched a replacement Boeing 777-200 (registration F-GSPQ) from Paris to Ashgabat on January 13 to continue the journey to Paris.
Passengers were informed that the continuation of their flight would occur either later that evening or the following day, January 14, at 13:00 local time.
Aircraft Details and Configuration History
The affected aircraft, F-GSPI, is a 26.2-year-old Boeing 777-228ER with MSN 29008 and line number 258.
It was manufactured in Everett, Washington, and delivered to Air France on December 6, 1999.
The aircraft has undergone multiple cabin configuration changes over its service life:
- C35W24Y250 until November 2015
- C40W24Y216 from November 2015 to April 2024
- C28W32Y268 since June 2024
It remains equipped with two GE90-94B engines and carries the Mode S transponder code 3949E8.
Current Status and Investigation
As of January 13, 2026, F-GSPI remains grounded in Ashgabat.
The nature of the engine fault has not been publicly detailed, but the shutdown was confirmed by multiple sources including flight tracking data and emergency alert channels.
Maintenance crews are expected to assess the aircraft and determine the necessary repairs or engine replacement.
The incident underscores the importance of robust engine monitoring and contingency planning on long-haul routes over remote regions.
Air France and relevant aviation authorities are likely to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the root cause and prevent recurrence.
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