New Delhi:
An Air India Airbus A350 operating a long-haul flight from Delhi to New York suffered significant engine damage on Thursday morning after a cargo container lying unattended on the taxiway was sucked into one of its engines at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI). The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft returned to Delhi due to the temporary closure of Iranian airspace, forcing the flight to abort its transcontinental journey.

The aircraft, operating as Flight AI 101 to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, had initially departed IGI at around 2 am. However, due to geopolitical developments that led to the sudden closure of Iran’s airspace, the crew was compelled to turn back and return to Delhi, officials said.

While the aircraft landed safely and without incident on runway 28, trouble struck during taxiing in dense fog conditions at the airport. At approximately 5:25 am, as the wide-body aircraft was making its way to the apron, a cargo container that had been left on the taxiway was ingested by the plane’s right-side, or number two, engine, causing visible damage.

Aircraft Grounded, Passengers Assisted

Air India confirmed the incident in an official statement and said the aircraft has been grounded for a detailed technical investigation and repairs. The airline also cautioned that the grounding of the Airbus A350 could lead to disruptions on certain long-haul routes operated using the aircraft type.

“The aircraft is currently grounded for a thorough investigation and necessary repairs, which may cause potential disruptions on select A350 routes,” an Air India spokesperson said.

The airline added that it was actively assisting affected passengers with alternative travel arrangements, rebookings, and refunds, depending on individual preferences.

Air India currently operates six Airbus A350 aircraft, which form a critical part of its long-haul fleet. These aircraft are deployed on key international routes, including services to New York, Newark, London, Dubai, and Singapore. Any prolonged grounding of an A350 could therefore have a cascading effect on the airline’s international schedule.

Sequence of Events

According to officials familiar with the matter, the incident unfolded after the aircraft returned from its aborted journey. Following a routine and safe landing in Delhi, the aircraft was taxiing toward its designated parking stand in low-visibility conditions caused by dense morning fog.

At that point, the aircraft encountered what aviation authorities refer to as “foreign object debris” (FOD) on the taxiway. The object was later identified as a cargo container that had toppled off a dolly used for ground handling operations.

“Upon landing in Delhi, the aircraft encountered a foreign object while taxiing in dense fog, resulting in damage to the right engine,” Air India said in its statement. The airline stressed that the aircraft was safely positioned at the designated parking bay and that there was no risk to passengers or crew.

Preliminary Findings Point to Ground Handling Lapse

Initial findings from a preliminary investigation suggest that the incident may have been caused by a lapse in ground handling operations at the airport.

Officials said the container originated from ground support equipment being moved near Bay 242, an area typically designated for parking Air Mauritius ground support equipment. A tug operated by a ground handling company was transporting multiple cargo containers mounted on dollies toward the designated holding area.

During this movement, one of the wheels of a container dolly reportedly came off, causing a cargo container to topple onto the taxiway.

An airport official familiar with the investigation said the operator of the equipment noticed the Air India aircraft taxiing in and moved away with the remaining dollies and containers to avoid any immediate hazard. However, the container that had already fallen onto the taxiway was left unattended.

“The unattended container was subsequently sucked in by the aircraft’s number two engine,” the official said.

Dense fog conditions at the time may have further reduced visibility, making it difficult for the flight crew to spot the obstruction in time to stop or manoeuvre the aircraft away from it.

Safety Concerns and Investigations

Foreign object ingestion is a serious aviation safety issue, as engines are highly sensitive to debris on runways and taxiways. Even relatively small objects can cause substantial damage to engine blades, potentially leading to costly repairs and extended grounding of aircraft.

Aviation safety experts say such incidents highlight the importance of strict adherence to ground handling protocols and constant monitoring of airside areas to ensure that runways and taxiways remain clear of debris.

Authorities are expected to conduct a detailed investigation to determine responsibility and assess whether safety procedures were violated. This is likely to involve coordination between the airport operator, the ground handling agency involved, and aviation regulators.

While Air India did not comment on whether it would seek accountability or compensation from the ground handling provider, officials indicated that a full technical inspection of the damaged engine is underway to determine the extent of the repairs required.

Impact on Operations

The Airbus A350 is among the newest and most technologically advanced aircraft in Air India’s fleet. Introduced as part of the airline’s ambitious fleet modernisation programme under the Tata Group, the A350 plays a key role in enhancing Air India’s long-haul connectivity and passenger experience.

With only six A350s currently in service, the grounding of even one aircraft could strain the airline’s operational flexibility, particularly on high-demand international routes. Air India acknowledged this in its statement, warning passengers of possible disruptions on select A350-operated services.

“Safety remains the paramount priority for Air India, and the airline is committed to providing support during this time,” the spokesperson said.

Fog, Congestion, and Operational Challenges

Thursday’s incident also brings renewed attention to the operational challenges faced at Delhi’s IGI Airport during winter months. Dense fog frequently disrupts flight schedules, reduces visibility, and increases the complexity of ground movements for both pilots and ground staff.

During such conditions, strict coordination between air traffic control, ground handling teams, and flight crews becomes even more critical to prevent accidents and near-misses.

While no injuries were reported in this incident and passengers were not exposed to immediate danger, the event underscores how a combination of adverse weather conditions and procedural lapses can lead to costly and potentially hazardous situations.

Looking Ahead

As investigations continue, Air India passengers travelling on A350-operated routes may face delays, cancellations, or aircraft substitutions in the coming days. The airline has advised passengers to check flight status updates and remain in contact with customer support for the latest information.

For now, the focus remains on determining how a cargo container came to be left on an active taxiway and ensuring that corrective measures are implemented to prevent a recurrence.

The incident serves as a reminder that aviation safety is not only about what happens in the air, but also about meticulous discipline on the ground—where even a single overlooked object can bring a modern long-haul aircraft to an abrupt and costly halt.