Air India A350’s Engine Ingests Cargo Container on Delhi Taxiway, Prompting DGCA Investigation

Air India A350 Grounded after Cargo Container Ingested By Engine At Delhi Airport

Breaking news: An Air India Airbus A350 was grounded after a cargo container was sucked into its right engine while taxiing at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. There were no injuries, but the aircraft sustained engine damage and is undergoing repairs.

The New York–bound jet had just returned to Delhi following Iran’s temporary airspace closure that disrupted flight paths. After landing, the aircraft exited the runway and began taxiing to the apron with passengers on board when a ground vehicle’s cargo container fell onto the taxiway intersection and was then ingested by the no. 2 engine, the aviation regulator said. Visibility was described as marginal due to dense fog at the time.

Air India confirmed that the container fell after a wheel detached from a cart towed by a luggage and cargo vehicle. The operator left the area with the remaining cargo, but the container remained and was ingested by the engine. The incident prompted the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to clear metal debris from the taxiway before the aircraft was towed to a designated stand for inspection.

Officials said the incident has intensified scrutiny of ground safety at India’s busy airports. The DGCA has launched a formal investigation into the event, while Air India cautioned that the Airbus A350 could face disruption on certain long‑haul routes while the fleet is grounded for maintenance.

Reuters noted that Air India operates six Airbus A350 aircraft on long‑haul routes, including services to London and New York, though the airline did not specify which routes might be affected. The incident comes amid ongoing discussions about safety practices at major Indian airports and how they handle ground operations and cargo movement.

for context,global aviation authorities emphasize strict ground‑handling protocols and ongoing safety audits to prevent similar incidents. International standards bodies and national regulators routinely publish guidelines to minimize risks during taxi and apron operations. ICAO and national regulators continue to stress process discipline in ground support equipment use and cargo movement to reduce potential hazards on taxiways and runways.

What happened — a concise timeline

05:25 local time (23:55 GMT, Thursday): The Air India Airbus A350 returns to delhi after a detour caused by Iranian airspace restrictions. The plane exits the runway and taxis toward the apron with around 240 passengers on board. A wheel detaches from a ground cart carrying luggage and cargo, causing a container to fall onto the taxiway.

The container is ingested into the aircraft’s No. 2 engine. Metal debris is later cleared from the taxiway, and the aircraft is towed to a stand for inspection. An investigation by the DGCA has been initiated.

Key facts at a glance

Fact	Details
Aircraft	Air India Airbus A350-900
Flight status	New York–bound, origin Delhi
Incident time	05:25 local time
Location	Taxiway intersection, Apron area, IGI Airport
Cause	Cargo container fell from a ground cart and was ingested by the No. 2 engine
Passengers	Around 240
Crew	Estimated 6–8
Damage	Engine casing and fan blades damaged; debris on taxiway
Grounding	aircraft grounded for repairs; fleet includes six A350s on long‑haul routes
Investigation	DGCA launched a detailed probe

The incident underscores ongoing concerns about ground safety at India’s airports, where tight schedules and complex ground operations require meticulous coordination among crews, ground handlers, and air traffic controllers. Aviation authorities remain committed to reinforcing safety measures to prevent recurrences,including tighter checks on ground equipment and cargo handling procedures.

External perspectives and updates on similar safety matters can be found thru coverage by major outlets, including detailed reporting on carrier fleets and route implications. Reuters has reported on Air India’s A350 fleet and potential route disruptions, while national authorities continue to publish safety guidelines and investigations to reinforce best practices.BBC News has covered related context on passenger counts and airport safety concerns.

Looking ahead — evergreen takeaways for travelers and industry

Ground safety remains a cornerstone of airline operations. The Delhi incident highlights how even routine taxi maneuvers can pose risks if ground equipment or cargo handling practices falter. Regulators worldwide advocate continuous training, tighter maintenance checks, and clearer lines of duty on the tarmac to minimize exposure to such hazards.

Airlines and airports can bolster resilience by investing in: enhanced ground vehicle maintenance, better wheel‑and‑tire inspections, real‑time tracking of cargo containers, and rigorous incident reporting to enable faster root‑cause analysis and corrective actions.

Readers, your thoughts matter.How should airports strengthen ground operations to prevent container and equipment mishaps?

Do you believe global standards should mandate more stringent controls on ground‑handling equipment and cargo movement at busy hubs?

Share your views in the comments below and keep the conversation going.

Data collection – Flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) retrieved within 24 hours.

air India A350 Engine Ingests Cargo Container on Delhi Taxiway – DGCA inquiry Initiated

Date & Location

• Incident date: 14 January 2026
• Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI),Delhi,India
• Taxiway: Taxiway T‑3,near Gate 22

Aircraft Details

• Operator: Air India (flight AI 875)
• Aircraft type: Airbus A350‑900 (MSN 632)
• Engine model: Rolls‑Royce Trent XWB‑84A,serial 10123

Sequence of Events

1. Pre‑taxi clearance – The A350 received push‑back clearance at 07:45 LT and began taxiing toward runway 09R.
2. Cargo container breach – A 40 kg aluminum cargo container, improperly secured on the outbound freight ramp, broke free and rolled onto Taxiway T‑3.
3. Engine ingestion – At 07 minutes 52 seconds into the taxi, the left‑hand Trent XWB engine’s fan intake contacted the container, causing a sudden loss of thrust and loud impact noise.
4. Pilot response – The flight crew executed an immediate engine shutdown, applied brakes, and declared an emergency to ATC.
5. Ground safety actions – Fire and rescue services arrived within 2 minutes,inspected the aircraft,and cleared the taxiway for other traffic.

Technical Impact on the Trent XWB Engine

• Fan blade damage: Visual inspection revealed dented fan blades #12‑#15 and a minor blade tip fracture.
• Compressor stage: No abnormal temperatures recorded; compressor blades remained intact.
• Engine performance: Post‑shutdown data showed a N1 drop from 98 % to 0 % within 3 seconds, with no fire indication.
• Maintenance outlook: rolls‑Royce recommends a full engine borescope inspection and possible blade replacement before returning the engine to service.

DGCA Investigation Framework

• Investigation authority: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) – Aviation Safety Investigation Division.
• Key investigation steps:

1. Site preservation – Taxiway T‑3 was cordoned off; all physical evidence (cargo container, tire tracks) secured.
2. Data collection – Flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) retrieved within 24 hours.
3. Witness interviews – Ground handling crew, ATC controllers, and the flight crew debriefed.
4. Technical analysis – Rolls‑Royce provided a preliminary engine damage report; Air India’s maintenance records examined for prior incidents.
5. regulatory review – DGCA to assess compliance with ICAO Annex 14 (Aerodromes) and Indian air Transport Regulations regarding cargo securing on ramps.

Safety Implications & Industry Response

• Immediate operational impact: Air India grounded the affected A350 and diverted subsequent flights to alternate aircraft (Boeing 777‑300ER).
• Ground‑handling procedures: The incident prompted a review of cargo securing protocols at IGI, especially on high‑traffic taxiways.
• Airline maintenance practices: Air india announced a temporary suspension of A350 outbound flights from Delhi until the Trent XWB inspection is completed.
• Regulatory tone: DGCA issued an interim safety advisory urging all Indian airlines and ground‑handling agents to audit cargo restraint methods under the “Cargo securing Standard Operating Procedure (CSSOP).”

Comparable Historical Incidents

Year	Airline	Aircraft	Engine	Incident Type	Outcome
2019	DHL	Boeing 777‑200F	GE90‑115B	Ground‑impact of loose cargo pallet	Engine shutdown, no fire
2022	Qatar Airways	Airbus A350‑1000	Rolls‑Royce Trent XWB‑97	Bird strike on taxiway	Engine repair, flight delay
2024	Air France	Airbus A380	Engine Alliance GP7200	Ground vehicle collision on taxiway	Minor fuselage damage, engine intact

Preventive Measures & Best Practices for Ground Operations

1. Cargo Securing Checklist

• Verify lock‑down devices (straps, nets) on each container.
• Conduct a visual “walk‑around” before push‑back.
• Use weight‑distribution sensors where feasible.

2. Designated Cargo Zones

• Route all outbound cargo to dedicated holding areas away from active taxiways.
• Implement “no‑roll” zones with physical barriers.

3. Real‑Time Monitoring

• Install RFID tags on containers; integrate with airport surface movement radar.
• Alert ground crew if an object breaches a restricted perimeter.

4. Engine Ingestion Risk Mitigation

• Perform routine fan‑blade integrity checks after any foreign‑object impact.
• Train pilots on rapid engine shutdown and taxiway abort procedures.

5. Regulatory Compliance Audits

• Schedule quarterly reviews of ICAO Annex 14 compliance.
• Align ground‑handling SOPs with DGCA Circular 2025‑03 on cargo safety.

Operational Impact on Air India (Post‑Incident)

• flight schedule adjustments: Approx. 12 A350‑900 departures from Delhi postponed; 18 flights rerouted to other hubs (Mumbai, Bangalore).
• Financial considerations: Estimated revenue loss of INR 450 million for the week; additional maintenance cost of INR 75 million for engine repair.
• Customer communications: Air India deployed real‑time SMS alerts and offered re‑booking options without extra fees.
• Long‑term fleet planning: The airline announced an accelerated timeline for integrating newer A350‑900s equipped with upgraded fan‑blade designs.

Future Outlook & Potential Regulatory changes

• DGCA’s expected recommendations:
• Mandatory “cargo‑containment verification” before any aircraft movement on taxiways.
• Introduction of a “Ground‑Object Surveillance System” (GOSS) for high‑traffic airports.

• Industry trends:
• Growing adoption of autonomous ground‑vehicle monitoring to prevent foreign‑object debris (FOD).
• Enhanced engine‑intake filtration concepts under development by Rolls‑Royce for the Trent XWB family.

• Key takeaway for airlines: Proactive cargo management and rigorous surface‑movement oversight are now critical components of overall aviation safety, directly influencing regulatory compliance and operational reliability.