New Delhi: An Air India flight scheduled to operate from Delhi to New York was grounded after one of its engines sustained damage during ground operations at the airport, airline officials confirmed.
According to Air India, the incident occurred when a baggage container was inadvertently sucked into the aircraft’s engine while the plane was on the tarmac. The airline said that the aircraft was immediately brought to a halt and safely guided to its designated parking bay, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew members.
“There was no risk to passengers or crew at any point,” Air India said in a statement, adding that standard safety procedures were followed and the aircraft did not attempt take-off after the issue was detected.
Engineering teams were deployed to inspect the damage, and the aircraft has been temporarily withdrawn from service for detailed checks and necessary repairs. The airline did not specify the extent of the damage but said corrective action was underway in line with aviation safety norms.
Passengers booked on the affected Delhi–New York service were accommodated on alternate flights or provided assistance as per Air India’s disruption management policy, officials said.
Aviation experts note that foreign object ingestion incidents, while uncommon, are a known ground-handling risk and are handled through strict inspection protocols before any flight clearance.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been informed of the incident, and further review is expected as part of routine safety oversight.
