India’s aviation regulator opened an investigation after an Air India aircraft ingested a cargo container while taxiing at Delhi airport. No passengers or crew were injured. The right engine sustained significant damage, and Air India grounded the aircraft for repairs and inspection.
Flight returned after 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, according to the aviation regulator.
About 240 passengers were on board at the time, an Air India source said. The source could not confirm the exact number of crew members, which likely ranged between six and eight people.
Ground handling failure leaves container on taxiway
India’s civil aviation ministry reported 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 said a wheel detached from a cart being towed by the vehicle. The detached wheel caused the container to fall onto the taxiway. The vehicle operator noticed the approaching aircraft and moved away with the remaining cargo. The fallen container remained, and the aircraft’s right engine ingested it.
Regulator clears debris and launches probe
The aviation regulator said crews later removed metal debris from the taxiway. Authorities towed the aircraft to a designated parking stand. The regulator confirmed a detailed investigation is underway. Photos released by officials showed damage to the engine casing and fan blades, as well as debris scattered across the taxiway.
Incident raises concerns over airport safety
The event renewed scrutiny of ground safety at India’s busiest airports. Regulators highlighted serious 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 confirmed which routes may be affected.
