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 serious damage, and Air India grounded the aircraft for repairs and inspection.
Flight returned due to unexpected 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 on Thursday morning. After landing, it exited the runway and taxied toward the parking bay with passengers onboard. Dense fog limited visibility during taxiing, according to the aviation regulator.
There were about 240 passengers onboard, an Air India source said. The number of crew members is unconfirmed but likely ranged between six and eight people.
Ground handling error left container on taxiway
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 moved away with the remaining cargo. The container stayed on the taxiway, and the aircraft’s right engine ingested it.
Debris cleared and investigation launched
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 showed damage to the engine casing and fan blades, as well as debris scattered along the taxiway.
Incident raises 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.
