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Air India A350 Engine Damaged by Baggage Container in Delhi Fog Incident

An Air India Airbus A350 flight from Delhi to New York was forced to return initially due to the closure of Iranian airspace. While taxiing in dense fog upon landing back in Delhi, the aircraft's right engine ingested a baggage container that had fallen onto the taxiway, causing damage. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incident to determine how the foreign object entered the engine. The aircraft has been grounded for repairs, which may cause disruptions on some A350 routes.

Key Points: DGCA Probes Air India A350 Engine Damage from Baggage Container

  • Flight returned due to Iranian airspace closure
  • Engine damaged by foreign object during taxiing
  • DGCA has launched a probe
  • Aircraft grounded for investigation and repairs
2 min read

DGCA probing Air India A350 engine damage after baggage container ingestion

DGCA investigates after an Air India A350's engine ingested a baggage container in Delhi fog. Flight returned due to Iranian airspace closure.

"Safety remains the paramount priority for Air India - Air India spokesperson"

New Delhi, Jan 15

An Air India flight between Delhi and New York returned to the airport after the Iranian airspace closure impacted its route and later, an engine damage occurred as it sucked in a baggage container at the Delhi airport.

The incident occurred when the Airbus A350 was taxiing in dense fog at the airport, the airline said, confirming the damage.

The Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a probe into the incident and is trying to ascertain how a foreign object got lodged inside the engine.

"Air India confirms that Flight AI101, operating from Delhi to New York (JFK), was forced to return to Delhi shortly after takeoff due to the unexpected closure of Iranian airspace, which impacted its planned route," said an Air India spokesperson.

"Upon landing in Delhi, the aircraft encountered a foreign object while taxiing in dense fog, resulting in damage to the right engine," the spokesperson added.

During the incident, the plane was safely positioned at designated parking, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew on board, the airline added. The aircraft has been grounded for a thorough investigation and necessary repairs, Air India said.

This may cause potential disruptions on select A350 routes, the airline has warned, assuring that it is working on alternative travel arrangements and refunds for affected passengers.

"Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to our passengers and is proactively assisting them with alternative travel arrangements and refunds, as preferred. Safety remains the paramount priority for Air India, and the airline is committed to providing support during this time," said the airline.

According to the preliminary probe, a BWFS (Bird Worldwide Flight Services) tug was transporting baggage containers to the Baggage Make-Up Area of Terminal 3.

During the movement, one wheel of a container dolly reportedly came off, causing the container to topple onto the taxiway intersection.

While the ground equipment operator moved away with the remaining containers after noticing the approaching aircraft, the fallen container was left behind and was subsequently ingested by the aircraft's No. 2 engine, according to officials.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
First the Iranian airspace issue, then this. The passengers must have had a terrible experience. Good that Air India is arranging alternatives, but they need to ensure such basic ground safety protocols are never compromised. Safety first, always! 🙏
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David E
As an aviation enthusiast, this is shocking. The A350 is a modern aircraft. The fact that a container was ingested points to multiple failures - maintenance of the dolly, driver training, and airport taxiway inspection in fog. A thorough probe is needed.
A
Ananya R
The fog in Delhi has been brutal this winter. While that's a factor, it's not an excuse. Ground staff have procedures for low visibility. They saw the plane coming and just left the container? That's pure negligence. Hope the affected passengers get proper compensation.
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Suresh O
This is why we need to invest more in airport infrastructure and training. Delhi is our busiest airport. Such incidents hurt our reputation globally. Kudos to the pilots for handling the situation safely, but the ground error is unacceptable.
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Meera T
While the incident is bad, I appreciate that Air India communicated clearly and is helping passengers. Many airlines would hide details. The transparency is a good step. Let's hope the investigation leads to concrete changes in ground operations.

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