India’s aviation regulator opened an investigation after an Air India aircraft suffered engine damage during taxiing at Delhi airport. A cargo container entered the aircraft’s right engine. No passengers or crew members were injured. The incident caused significant engine damage, and Air India grounded the aircraft for inspection and repairs.
Flight returned due to airspace closure
The Airbus A350 was operating a New York-bound flight before it returned to Delhi shortly after take-off. Iran temporarily closed its airspace, forcing airlines to reroute flights. The aircraft landed safely at Delhi airport on Thursday morning. After landing, it exited the runway and taxied toward the parking bay with passengers onboard. Dense fog reduced visibility at the airport during taxiing, the aviation regulator said.
There were approximately 240 passengers onboard during the incident, according to an Air India source. The source could not confirm the exact number of crew members, which likely ranged between six and eight people.
Cargo container fell from ground vehicle
India’s civil aviation ministry reported that the incident occurred around 05:25 local time on Thursday. The aircraft was taxiing toward the apron used for parking, refueling, and servicing. A cargo container accidentally fell from a ground handling vehicle and landed at a taxiway intersection.
An Air India spokesperson said a wheel detached from a cart being towed by a cargo vehicle. The container fell onto the taxiway after the wheel detached. The vehicle operator noticed the approaching aircraft and removed the remaining cargo. The fallen container remained, and the aircraft’s right engine ingested it.
Authorities clear debris and begin investigation
The aviation regulator said teams later cleared metal debris from the taxiway. Authorities towed the aircraft to a designated parking stand. The regulator confirmed it launched a detailed investigation into the incident. Photos released by officials showed damage to the engine casing and fan blades, along with debris scattered on the taxiway.
Incident raises ground safety concerns
The incident renewed scrutiny of ground safety at India’s busiest airports. Regulators highlighted serious safety lapses at major airports last June. Inspectors found faded runway markings, training deficiencies, crew fatigue, maintenance gaps, and unauthorized cockpit access.
Air India warned of potential disruptions on selected A350 routes while repairs continue. The airline operates six Airbus A350 aircraft on long-haul services, including flights to London and New York. The airline has not confirmed which routes may be affected.
