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 sustained serious damage, and Air India grounded it for inspection and repairs.
Flight returned after sudden 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, according to the aviation regulator.
About 240 passengers were onboard, an Air India source said. The exact number of crew members is unconfirmed but likely ranged between six and eight people.
Ground handling failure led to container on taxiway
India’s civil aviation ministry reported that 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 container remained, and the aircraft’s right engine ingested it.
Authorities clear debris and begin investigation
The aviation regulator said teams later removed metal debris from the taxiway. Officials 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, along with debris scattered across the taxiway.
Incident renews focus on airport safety
The event highlighted concerns over ground safety at India’s busiest airports. Regulators flagged 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 possible 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.
