The morning of 15 January 2026 brought double trouble for an international Air India flight at Delhi airport. Air India’s state-of-the-art Airbus A350 aircraft (VT-JRB), which had flown to New York, had to turn back midway due to the closure of Iran airspace. But the real crisis came not in the sky, but on the ground after a safe landing at Delhi Airport. While moving on the taxiway, a heavy cargo container got stuck in the engine of the plane, causing heavy damage to the engine. The fortunate thing is that all the passengers and crew members are completely safe in this incident.
Flight AI101 returned due to closure of Iran airspace, after safe landing a major accident occurred on the taxiway amid fog
The incident occurred around 05:25 am (IST). Flight AI101, which was en route from Delhi to New York (JFK), had decided to return to Delhi due to restrictions in Iranian airspace. The aircraft also made a safe landing on Runway 28 in Delhi. The aircraft was passing through the taxiway N/N4 intersection on its way from the runway to the apron. At that time there was dense fog at the airport and visibility was very low. Meanwhile, the right engine of the aircraft (Engine No. 2) collided with a cargo container lying on the taxiway. The collision was so severe that the container got pulled inside the engine and its components were blown away.
The container fell on the track after the wheel of the trolley carrying the baggage broke, due to low visibility the pilot did not see the danger.
The cause of the accident is believed to be a major mistake in ground handling. According to initial information, a tug (baggage pulling vehicle) of Bird Worldwide Flight Services (BWFS) was going towards the baggage area of Terminal-3 carrying some containers. While the vehicle was crossing the taxiway, a wheel of a dolly (trolley) came off or the container tilted, causing a heavy container to fall on part of the taxiway and overturned. The tug operator removed the remaining containers, but the fallen container remained there. Due to fog, the pilots of the plane could not see it and while taxiing, the huge engine of the A350 swallowed the container.
The fan blades and nacelle of the Rolls-Royce engine were badly damaged, the plane was grounded after removing the debris.
In this incident, the number-2 Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine of Air India aircraft has suffered ‘substantial damage’. The fan blades and outer cover (nacelle) of the engine are badly damaged. Immediately after the incident, the airport’s ground team cleared the metal debris from the spot and the aircraft was somehow pulled and parked at Stand 244. The aircraft has been removed from operation with immediate effect and repairs or replacement of its engines may take a longer time now that it is part of the airline’s new long-haul fleet.
DGCA orders detailed investigation, ground handling SOP and rules for movement of vehicles in fog will be reviewed
Taking this matter seriously, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has started a detailed investigation. The main focus of the investigation will be on how such a container was left in the high-security area. The investigation team will look into whether the ground handling standards (SOP) were followed or not. Apart from this, maintenance of tugs of BWFS, locking system of dolly and coordination between ATC and ground movement during fog will also be examined. It will also be ascertained whether the information about the fall of the container was given to the pilot or ATC on time. At present, arrangements have been made to send the affected passengers to their destinations through other flights.