India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a formal investigation into an incident in which the engine of an Air India Airbus A350 aircraft ingested a cargo container while taxiing at Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport.
There were no fatalities or injuries in the incident; however, the aircraft’s right engine sustained significant damage. The aircraft was withdrawn from service for repairs.
New York Flight Had Returned
The Airbus A350, which had taken off on Thursday to operate a New York flight, returned to Delhi shortly after departure due to Iran’s temporary airspace closure and resulting route changes prompted by regional security risks.
After landing safely, the aircraft vacated the runway and began taxiing towards the apron area. At that moment, a cargo container entered the aircraft’s No. 2 engine.
Dense Fog Reduced Visibility
In a statement, the DGCA said that visibility was limited due to dense fog at the time of the incident. According to India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, the event occurred at around 05:25 local time, as the aircraft was proceeding towards the apron where parking, loading and refuelling operations take place.
Container Fell at a Taxiway Intersection
Authorities stated that the cargo container had accidentally fallen from a ground handling vehicle at a taxiway intersection. An Air India spokesperson added that the container fell after a wheel detached from a trolley used by a baggage and cargo transport vehicle.
The spokesperson said the vehicle operator noticed the approaching aircraft and moved away from the area, but the fallen container was left behind.
- “The container entered the aircraft’s No. 2 engine,” the statement said.
Approximately 240 Passengers on Board
According to information provided by Air India sources to the BBC, there were approximately 240 passengers on board at the time of the incident. The number of crew members is estimated to have been between six and eight.
Engine Damage and Debris Clearance
The DGCA announced that metal fragments and debris found on the runway and taxiway had been cleared, and that the aircraft was towed to a designated parking area. Photographs shared on the regulator’s X (formerly Twitter) account showed damage to the engine cowling and fan blades.
Ground Safety Concerns Intensify
The incident has once again brought ground safety practices at India’s busy airports into focus. In an audit report published last year, the DGCA identified numerous safety violations, including faded runway markings, inadequate simulator training, crew fatigue, maintenance shortcomings, and unauthorised cockpit access.
It was also recalled that 51 separate safety violations had previously been identified during inspections of Air India.
Disruptions Possible on A350 Services
Air India warned that disruptions may occur on some Airbus A350 routes due to the aircraft being taken out of service. According to Reuters, the airline operates six Airbus A350 aircraft on long-haul routes, including London and New York. However, it is not yet clear which flights will be affected.
https://www.airportgundem.com/kargo-konteyneri-motora-girdi-a350-hizmet-disi-kaldi/
