Air India A350 Engine Damaged by Baggage Container in Delhi Fog Incident
An Air India aircraft operating between New Delhi and New York suffered substantial damage to one of its engines this morning. The incident occurred at Delhi Airport when the Airbus A350 ingested a baggage container while taxiing in dense fog.
Details of the Incident
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the incident in a social media post. According to their statement, the aircraft was taxiing at the airport under conditions of thick fog when the engine sucked in the baggage container. This caused significant damage to the engine components.
The flight, identified as AI101, had originally departed from New Delhi bound for New York. However, it returned to Delhi Airport after encountering route disruptions. The closure of Iranian airspace forced the aircraft to alter its planned flight path.
Sequence of Events
- The Air India Airbus A350 took off from Delhi for New York as Flight AI101.
- Due to Iranian airspace closure, the flight had to return to Delhi Airport.
- Upon landing and while taxiing in dense fog, the aircraft's engine ingested a baggage container.
- The engine sustained substantial damage from this incident.
- DGCA officials have launched an investigation into the matter.
Investigation Underway
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is now conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. Aviation authorities will examine how the baggage container came into contact with the taxiing aircraft. They will also review airport safety protocols during low visibility conditions.
This incident highlights the challenges of airport operations during adverse weather conditions. Dense fog has frequently disrupted flight operations at Delhi Airport during winter months. The investigation will likely focus on ground handling procedures and visibility-related safety measures.
Air India has not yet released an official statement about potential passenger impacts or schedule changes. The airline operates multiple flights between India and North America using its fleet of modern aircraft including the Airbus A350.
The damaged aircraft remains at Delhi Airport while authorities assess the extent of the engine damage. Aviation experts suggest such incidents, while rare, can cause significant operational disruptions and require careful investigation to prevent recurrence.
