Tension gripped Delhi’s airport tarmac after a cargo container lodged itself inside an Air India aircraft’s engine, leading the DGCA to initiate a comprehensive inquiry. This unusual accident highlights vulnerabilities in the high-stakes world of aviation ground handling.
Details emerged that the incident involved a Boeing aircraft during taxi preparations. Strong engine suction during testing pulled the nearby container into the turbine, creating a hazardous scenario averted only by vigilant crew response. The runway was briefly closed for clearance, minimizing wider disruptions.
DGCA’s multi-agency team is dissecting every aspect—from container securing mechanisms to engine guarding protocols. Interviews with ground staff and CCTV footage form the core of evidence gathering. Experts note that while engine foreign object damage (FOD) incidents occur, one of this scale is unprecedented in recent memory.
Air India reaffirmed its commitment to zero-tolerance safety policies, dispatching senior engineers for on-site inspection. Passengers, numbering over 200, were safely offloaded and accommodated alternatively.
As probes deepen, parallels are drawn to past aviation near-misses, urging immediate reforms. The DGCA’s final verdict may reshape cargo handling SOPs at all major Indian airports, prioritizing tech like automated proximity alerts. This wake-up call reinforces that safety in aviation demands perpetual vigilance amid expanding operations.