Air India A350 Engine Damaged After Cargo Container Ingestion in Delhi
India’s aviation regulator has launched a formal investigation after an Air India Airbus A350 sustained engine damage when a cargo container was ingested into one of its engines while taxiing at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, Jan. 15, after the New York-bound aircraft returned to Delhi shortly after departure due to the temporary closure of Iranian airspace, which forced airlines to reroute flights. Following a safe landing, the aircraft exited the runway and was taxiing toward the parking bay with passengers still onboard when the container was drawn into the aircraft’s No. 2 (right) engine.
According to India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), visibility at the time was marginal due to dense fog, a common challenge during winter operations in northern India. The regulator said the container had accidentally fallen from a ground vehicle onto a taxiway intersection, creating a serious foreign object debris (FOD) hazard.
An Air India source told the BBC that approximately 240 passengers were onboard at the time, along with between six and eight crew members. No injuries were reported, but the engine sustained visible damage, and the aircraft has been grounded for inspection and repairs.
Air India said the container fell after a wheel detached from a baggage cart being towed by a ground-handling vehicle. The operator noticed the aircraft approaching and cleared the area with the remaining cargo, but the fallen container was inadvertently left behind. “The container which fell was left on the taxiway and was subsequently ingested into the engine,” the airline said in a statement.
Photos released by the DGCA on social media showed damage to the engine casing and fan blades, along with debris scattered on the taxiway. The aircraft was later towed to a designated stand after metal fragments were cleared from the movement area.
The DGCA confirmed it has initiated a detailed investigation, focusing on ground-handling procedures, vehicle maintenance, and airside safety protocols. The incident adds to growing scrutiny of ground safety at India’s busiest airports, particularly during low-visibility operations.
Last year, the DGCA flagged multiple safety concerns across major Indian airports and airlines, citing issues such as faded runway markings, inadequate maintenance practices, crew fatigue, and procedural lapses. The latest event is likely to intensify regulatory oversight of ground operations and contractor compliance.
Air India has warned of potential disruptions on select Airbus A350 routes while the aircraft remains out of service. The carrier currently operates six A350s on long-haul routes, including flights to London and New York, and has not yet specified which services may be affected.
While rare, engine ingestion incidents during taxi highlight the critical importance of foreign object debris control, especially at congested airports operating in challenging weather conditions.
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