The aircraft was operating a New Delhi-New York flight and returned to Delhi after Iran’s airspace was restricted on 15 January 2026. | Photo credit: Special arrangement
One of the engines of an Air India A350 on Thursday (January 15, 2025) engulfed a ground container while taxiing to a parking space amid thick fog.
Flight AI101 was operating a New Delhi – New York flight and returned to Delhi shortly after departure due to Iranian airspace restrictions.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incident to find out how the foreign object entered the engine.
“Air India confirms that flight AI101, operating from Delhi to New York (JFK), was forced to return to Delhi shortly after take-off due to an unexpected closure of Iranian airspace, affecting its planned route. While landing in Delhi, the aircraft encountered a foreign object while taxiing in dense fog, resulting in damage to the right engine,” the airline said in a statement.
However, he did not identify the “foreign object”. “The aircraft was safely located in the designated parking bay, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew on board,” the statement added.
— DGCA (@DGCAIndia) January 15, 2026
The Civil Aviation Ministry said in a statement later in the day that the aircraft landed safely on Runway 28 and while taxiing to the apron, at the intersection of taxiway N/N4, the right engine sucked in a cargo container and caused significant engine damage.
“The incident occurred at around 05:25 IST. According to reports, visibility was marginal at the time of the incident. Preliminary investigation revealed that a BWFS tug carrying several containers to the Terminal 3 baggage claim area crossed this intersection while in the lane,” the statement said.
“During the transit, one of the containers overturned at the intersection of the taxiways. This container entered the No. 2 engine of the Air India A350 aircraft,” it further said.
The aircraft was later parked at stand 244.
Published – 15 Jan 2026 15:55 IST
