India’s aviation regulator launched an investigation after an Air India aircraft’s engine ingested a cargo container while taxiing at Delhi airport. No passengers or crew members were injured. The right engine suffered damage, and Air India grounded the aircraft for inspection and repairs.
Flight returned after airspace restriction
The Airbus A350 was flying to New York before it returned to Delhi shortly after take-off. Iran temporarily closed its airspace, forcing airlines to reroute flights. The aircraft landed safely on Thursday morning. After landing, it exited the runway and taxied toward the parking bay with passengers onboard. Dense fog limited visibility during taxiing, the aviation regulator said.
There were about 240 passengers onboard at the time, according to an Air India source. The exact number of crew members is unconfirmed, likely between six and eight people.
Cargo container dropped during ground operations
India’s civil aviation ministry said 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 onto a taxiway intersection.
An Air India spokesperson explained that a wheel detached from a cart being towed by a cargo vehicle. The detached wheel caused the container to fall onto the taxiway. The vehicle operator noticed the approaching aircraft and removed the remaining cargo. The fallen container remained, and the aircraft’s right engine ingested it.
Debris cleared as regulator investigates
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 opened a detailed investigation into the incident. Images released showed damage to the engine casing and fan blades, along with debris scattered on the taxiway.
Incident renews scrutiny on airport safety
The event heightened concern over ground safety at India’s busiest airports. Regulators highlighted serious safety lapses at major airports last June. Inspectors found faded runway markings, training shortcomings, crew fatigue, maintenance gaps, and unauthorized cockpit access.
Air India warned of potential disruptions on selected A350 routes during repairs. The airline operates six Airbus A350 aircraft on long-haul services, including flights to London and New York. The airline has not specified which routes may face disruption.
