India’s aviation regulator launched an investigation after an Air India aircraft ingested a cargo container while taxiing at Delhi airport. No passengers or crew were injured. The aircraft’s right engine suffered significant damage, and Air India grounded it for repairs and inspection.
Flight returned due to sudden airspace closure
The Airbus A350 was en route to New York when 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 left the runway and taxied toward the parking bay with passengers onboard. Dense fog limited visibility during taxiing, the regulator said.
About 240 passengers were onboard at the time, according to an Air India source. The exact number of crew members is unconfirmed but likely ranged between six and eight people.
Ground handling failure caused container to fall
India’s civil aviation ministry said the incident occurred around 05:25 local time on Thursday. The aircraft was taxiing toward the apron, where planes are parked, refueled, and serviced. 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 the vehicle. The wheel failure caused the container to fall onto the taxiway. The vehicle operator noticed the approaching aircraft and removed the remaining cargo. The fallen container stayed on the taxiway, and the aircraft’s right engine ingested it.
Authorities clear debris and open investigation
The aviation regulator said crews later removed metal debris from the taxiway. Officials towed the aircraft to a designated parking stand. The regulator confirmed it launched a detailed investigation. Photos released showed damage to the engine casing and fan blades, along with debris scattered across the taxiway.
Incident highlights airport safety concerns
The event renewed scrutiny over ground safety at India’s busiest airports. Regulators highlighted serious 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 specified which routes may be affected.
