Pics Show What Clogged Air India Lavatories, Causing Flight To Return To US

Images available with NDTV show a large cloth being removed from a tube attached to the lavatory system on board AI-126, the Boeing 777-300ER jetliner which had to return to Chicago on March 5 after the majority of its lavatories on board were choked.

A second picture (above) indicates that plastic waste had also been flushed down one of the toilets on the aircraft.

The images sourced by NDTV include two unrelated images (above) from separate Air India flights which have operated within the last two weeks.

One of the images shows an entire blanket being pulled out from an aircraft plumbing tube while a final image appears to show an item of clothing in a tube.

On March 5, the Air India Boeing 777 was flying over Greenland when most of its 12 toilets broke down. There were 300 passengers on board at the time.

The jetliner was forced to return to Chicago after having flown for approximately five hours.

In a statement, Air India said, "Upon landing in Chicago, all passengers and crew disembarked normally and have been provided with accommodation to minimise inconvenience."

Air India said it is aware of some social media posts about the unserviceable lavatories on the flight.

"We would like to confirm that as part of our investigation into the incident, our teams found polythene bags, rags, and clothes that had been flushed down and stuck in the plumbing. This led the lavatories to become unserviceable," it said.

Air India in a statement said it is aware of some social media posts about the unserviceable lavatories on the flight.

"We would like to confirm that as part of our investigation into the incident, our teams found polythene bags, rags, and clothes that had been flushed down and stuck in the plumbing. This led the lavatories to become unserviceable," it said.

"While we fully empathise with passengers who faced discomfort and whose travel plans have been affected by the flight's diversion, we would like to put forth the following facts about the flight: "The flight departed in time at 1648 hours (UTC). About an hour and forty-five minutes into the flight, the crew reported some of the lavatories in Business and Economy Class to be unserviceable. Subsequently, eight of the 12 lavatories in the aircraft became unserviceable, causing discomfort to all on board."

"By this time, the aircraft was overflying the Atlantic, leaving points in Europe as potential cities to divert to. However, due to restrictions on night operations at most of the European airports, it was decided to divert back to Chicago. The decision to divert was taken entirely in the interest of passenger comfort and safety," Air India said.

Upon landing at Chicago, all passengers were provided immediate assistance, including hotel accommodation and alternative flight options to continue their journey to Delhi, it said.

"While not found on AI126 of 5 March 2025, our teams have previously also found objects such as blankets, innerwear, and diapers, among other waste, having been flushed down the toilets on other flights. We take this opportunity to urge passengers to use lavatories only for the purposes that they are meant for," Air India said.