India’s aviation authority has initiated a comprehensive investigation following a serious ground incident at Delhi International Airport involving an Air India Airbus A350 aircraft. The wide-body jet ingested a cargo container into its right engine while taxiing with passengers aboard, causing significant engine damage and grounding the aircraft.
The incident occurred early Thursday morning at approximately 05:25 local time amid challenging visibility conditions caused by dense fog. The aircraft, flight AI105 bound for New York, had previously returned to Delhi shortly after takeoff due to the temporary closure of Iranian airspace, necessitating rerouting of numerous flights.
According to India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, the cargo container had accidentally dislodged from a ground vehicle and fallen onto the taxiway intersection. An Air India spokesperson elaborated that the container fell after a wheel detached from a cart being towed by a baggage handling vehicle. The vehicle operator reportedly noticed the approaching aircraft and departed the area, inadvertently leaving the fallen container behind.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that approximately 240 passengers and between six to eight crew members were onboard during the incident. While no injuries were reported, photographic evidence shared by DGCA on social media platform X revealed substantial damage to the engine casing and fan blades, along with metallic debris scattered across the taxiway.
This event has intensified scrutiny regarding ground safety protocols at India’s increasingly congested airports. The incident follows a June 2023 DGCA audit that identified 51 safety violations across major Indian airports and airlines, including concerns about faded runway markings, inadequate maintenance procedures, crew fatigue, and unauthorized cockpit access.
Air India has acknowledged potential disruptions on select A350 routes as the damaged aircraft undergoes repairs. The airline currently operates six Airbus A350 aircraft primarily on long-haul routes to destinations including London and New York, though specific affected routes remain unspecified.
Aviation experts emphasize that such incidents, while rare, highlight the critical importance of rigorous ground handling procedures and enhanced safety protocols during adverse weather conditions, particularly at rapidly expanding aviation hubs like Delhi.