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 members were hurt. The right engine suffered significant damage, and Air India grounded the plane for repairs and inspection.
Flight returned after unexpected airspace closure
The Airbus A350 was operating a New York-bound flight before returning 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 reduced visibility during taxiing, the regulator said.
There were about 240 passengers onboard during the incident, according to an Air India source. The exact number of crew members is unconfirmed but likely ranged between six and eight people.
Cargo container fell from ground handling vehicle
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 the vehicle. The wheel failure caused the container to fall onto the taxiway. The vehicle operator noticed the approaching aircraft and moved away with the remaining cargo. The container remained on the taxiway, and the aircraft’s right engine ingested it.
Authorities clear debris and launch 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 opened a detailed investigation. Photos released showed damage to the engine casing and fan blades, along with debris scattered across the taxiway.
Incident raises airport safety concerns
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 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.
