Air India Jet Engine Ingests Cargo Container at Delhi Airport

An investigation is underway following an incident at Delhi Airport where an Air India Airbus A350’s engine ingested a cargo container while taxiing. Fortunately, no passengers or crew were injured, but the aircraft sustained damage and has been grounded for repairs.

The event took place on March 14, 2024, around 05:25 local time (23:55 GMT on March 13) after the plane had returned to Delhi shortly after take-off. The flight was rerouted due to the temporary closure of Iranian airspace, which forced airlines to change their flight paths.

After landing without incident, the Airbus was taxiing towards the parking bay with approximately 240 passengers on board when the cargo container was drawn into the right engine. Visibility conditions were described as “marginal” because of dense fog at the time, as reported by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

According to Air India, the cargo container had unintentionally fallen from a ground vehicle onto the taxiway. The vehicle operator, who was towing a cart used for transporting luggage and cargo, noticed the aircraft approaching and vacated the area with the remaining cargo. Unfortunately, the container was left behind and subsequently ingested into the aircraft’s No. 2 engine.

“The container fell after a wheel came off the cart,”

an Air India spokesperson explained. Following the incident, the DGCA reported that metal debris was cleared from the taxiway, and the aircraft was safely towed to a designated stand for further assessment.

Images shared by the DGCA revealed visible damage to the aircraft’s engine casing and fan blades, alongside debris on the taxiway. This incident raises further concerns regarding ground safety protocols at India’s airports.

In June 2023, the DGCA highlighted significant safety lapses, stating issues included faded runway markings, inadequate maintenance, and crew fatigue among others, which prompted increased scrutiny of operational standards at major Indian airports and airlines.

As a result of this incident, Air India has issued a warning regarding “potential disruptions on select A350 routes,” although specific routes affected have not been detailed. The airline operates a fleet of six Airbus A350 aircraft, which serve long-haul destinations, including London and New York.

The DGCA has committed to conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident, aiming to ensure the safety and reliability of air travel in India.