Air India Delhi-Bengaluru flight suffers tail strike while landing, grounded
New Delhi, May 21
An Air India flight from Delhi to Bengaluru suffered a tail strike while landing at Bengaluru International Airport, the airline said on Thursday.
The Air India flight AI2651, with 179 people on board, was grounded after it experienced a tail strike during landing at the Bengaluru airport.
The airline said the aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew members disembarked normally.
Following the incident, the aircraft has been grounded for a detailed inspection. Air India added that the matter will be investigated in line with established procedures.
Due to the grounding of the aircraft, the return flight AI2652 from Bengaluru to Delhi was cancelled.
The airline said alternative arrangements are being made to accommodate affected passengers at the earliest.
Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said recently that the investigation into the crash of Air India Flight AI 171, which claimed 260 lives in Ahmedabad, is in its final stages and is likely to be completed within a month.
"The crash investigation is in the final stage and could even be completed in a month. However, the investigation is being done by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and we don't interfere in it. We are giving them all the resources they need," the minister said.
Emphasising the need for transparency in the probe, Naidu said the final report would be subject to international scrutiny as the ill-fated flight had foreign nationals onboard.
The AAIB had submitted its preliminary investigation findings to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation on July 12, 2025.
Responding to concerns raised by some families of the victims regarding a lack of communication and delays in compensation from the airline, Naidu said the ministry was closely monitoring the situation and remained in touch with Air India.
The tragic crash took place on June 12, 2025, when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating as Air India flight AI 171 took off from Runway 23 of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport for London Gatwick.
— IANS
Reader Comments
😟 Tail strike? That's very serious. I feel for the passengers who must have been terrified. At least no injuries reported. But why does this have to happen? Air India really needs to focus on maintenance and crew training. We are paying so much for tickets, and safety should be a given.
Good to see the airline is grounded for inspection and investigation. But the mention of the Ahmedabad crash (AI 171) in the same article is a bit worrying. Are these incidents linked? Or is it just a coincidence? Indian aviation needs a strong safety culture, not just reactive measures.
As a frequent flier, this is not reassuring. I'm glad everyone is safe, but the juxtaposition of this incident with the investigation of the Ahmedabad crash is concerning. We need better transparency from Air India and the ministry. The minister's statement about "international scrutiny" is a good start, but actions speak louder than words.
🙏 So grateful no one was hurt. But I wish the airline would communicate better with affected passengers. The article says alternative arrangements are being made for the return flight, but what about the others? Also, the mention of the AI 171 crash shows how serious these things can be. Hope the probe is done properly.
Tail strikes are a classic sign of pilot error or poor procedural execution during takeoff or landing. This needs to be thoroughly investigated. I appreciate the minister's commitment to transparency in the AI 171 crash probe, but we need to see results. Indian aviation has made great strides, but safety culture must be a top priority.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.