An Air India Airbus A350 aircraft’s engine was seriously damaged today when a cargo container was sucked into the jet engine while the plane was on the ground at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in New Delhi. The incident has left aviation observers questioning ground safety procedures and weather impact on airport operations.

Air India Plane Engine Hit by Loose Container – Full Story

Imagine boarding a huge plane ready for a long trip to New York, only to face back-to-back surprises. That's what happened to over 250 passengers on an Air India flight early Thursday morning. First, a sudden shutdown of skies over Iran forced the plane back to Delhi. Then, while rolling slowly on the ground through heavy fog, disaster struck – a baggage box got pulled right into the engine. Let's break down this wild event step by step, with all the fresh details from January 15, 2026.timesofindia.

Timeline of Air India Engine Damage Incident

The trouble kicked off around 2:36 AM when Air India's Airbus A350, flight AI101, lifted off from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport headed for JFK in New York. Over 250 folks were on board, excited for their journey. But as it flew near Ahmedabad airspace, news hit: Iranian airspace slammed shut without warning. Planes can't just fly over closed zones, so the pilots turned back safely to Delhi.

Things got crazier after touchdown. Thick fog blanketed the runway area, cutting visibility to almost nothing. As the jet taxied – that's the slow drive to the parking spot – it bumped into trouble. A baggage container, not tied down properly, flew straight into the right engine. Witnesses say it got sucked in like a vacuum cleaner grabbing dirt. The engine made odd noises and showed clear damage. No fire broke out, and everyone stayed safe, but the plane stopped right there.

By morning, ground crews swarmed the scene. Videos shot by passengers popped up online, showing staff poking around the wrecked engine part. Air India grounded the A350 (registration VT-JRB) for checks. This isn't just any plane – it's one of their shiny new wide-bodies meant for super-long flights.

What Exactly Hit the Air India Plane Engine?

Eye-witness accounts and official words point to one thing: a loose baggage container. These are big metal carts used to load suitcases onto planes. In the foggy chaos, one wasn't secured. The powerful engine fan blades – spinning super fast even on low power – pulled it in. Boom, chunks of metal tore up the blades inside.timesofindia.

Not a bird strike or loose runway junk – sources confirm it was ground equipment. Aviation experts call this a "foreign object debris" (FOD) event, common at busy airports but rare with such drama. The right engine took the hit; the left one was fine. Passengers heard a loud bang but felt no shakes since the plane was barely moving.

Deep dive: Modern jet engines like the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB on this A350 suck in massive air – over 1,000 kg per second at full thrust. Even idling, they create pull strong enough for this mishap. Fog hid the cart from ground staff and pilots alike.​

Passenger Experience During Engine Damage Chaos

Folks on board AI101 describe a rollercoaster. takeoff was smooth, then the announcement: "Due to airspace issues, we're heading back." No panic, just boredom during the return flight. Landing felt normal until the taxi. One passenger filmed the aftermath – engine blades bent, smoke wisps maybe from friction.

Air India staff rushed in with water and snacks. No injuries, which is huge. The group waited hours before buses took them to the terminal. Some got refunds or new flights; others rerouted. Social media buzzed with thanks for quick handling amid the mess. "Crew stayed calm, that's what counts," one tweet read.

Extra insight: Dense fog at Delhi that day grounded dozens of flights. Visibility dropped below 50 meters. Airports use ground radar and follow-me cars in such weather, but human error slipped through here.​

Air India Official Response to Container Suck-In

Air India didn't dodge questions. Spokesperson said: "Flight AI101 returned due to Iran closure. On taxi in fog, foreign object hit right engine. Plane safe at stand. All passengers okay." They grounded it for full probe and repairs. Possible delays on other A350 paths like Delhi-US routes.

The airline promised help: alternate tickets, cash back, hotel stays. Safety first, they stressed. This follows a December 2025 engine oil glitch on another flight, showing airlines face tech hiccups often.​

Behind scenes: DGCA (India's aviation watchdog) likely jumped in for inspection. They check logs, interview crew, scan videos. Expect a report soon on why the container wandered free.

Aviation Incident Summary

Why Iranian Airspace Closure Forced Plane Back

Iran shut its skies suddenly, catching flights off-guard. Reasons? Tense regional politics – think Middle East flare-ups. Planes from India to US often cross there to save time and fuel. Closure rerouted or canceled others, like Delhi-Newark and Mumbai-JFK.timesofindia.

Air India isn't alone; global carriers scramble during such blocks. Last year saw similar from conflicts. Pilots monitor NOTAMs (flight notices), but last-minute ones force U-turns. Fuel burn doubled for this return trip.​

Fun fact: Without Iran path, flights loop south over Arabian Sea or north via Russia – longer, costlier. Adds hours, burns extra jet fuel worth lakhs.​

Delhi Airport Fog and Ground Safety Issues Exposed

Delhi winters mean fog season – January's peak. This year, zero-vis days spiked. Airports add more lights, sensors, but taxiways stay tricky. Loose gear like carts? Ground teams must chain them, especially in low light.

Past scares: Birds hit engines yearly; debris too. Mumbai-Delhi flight last month shut an engine mid-air from oil drop. Training ramps up post-events. New rules might mandate better fog protocols.​

Stats: India sees 100+ FOD incidents yearly. Most minor, but engine hits cost millions to fix. A350 overhaul? Weeks, crores in parts.​

A350 Aircraft Engine Tech Explained Simply

Airbus A350 – Air India's pride, carries 300+ people comfy. Trent XWB engines: quiet, efficient, sip less fuel. Fan blades? Titanium, 3 meters wide, spin 3,000 RPM. Suck in air for thrust; junk wrecks balance.

Damage here: Blade nicks cause vibes, risking cracks. Fix needs dismantle, scan, replace. Back in sky? After tests. Air India has few A350s, so swaps hurt schedules.​

Kid-friendly: Think a giant fan in your bike wheel sucking leaves – but plane size. Safety shields prevent most harm, but not always.​

Impact on Future Air India Flights Jan 2026

Grounded jet means reshuffles. A350 fleet small; others fill gaps, maybe older 777s. Watch Delhi-New York runs – delays possible. Iran skies? Reopened by evening, per trackers.

Passengers: Check apps for updates. Air India offers waivers. Broader: Boosts rival airlines short-term. Tata-owned Air India pushes safety drives post-this.​

Long view: More A350s coming 2026. Incidents push tech like auto-brakes, AI ground monitors.

#BREAKING : Air India plane's engine damaged after the container gets sucked in at Delhi Airport

The container got sucked into an engine of the A350 Air India aircraft at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi, damaging the engine of the jet on Thursday.… pic.twitter.com/F0fCQOLFdq

— upuknews (@upuknews1) January 15, 2026

Video Evidence of Damaged Engine Sparks Online Buzz

Clips went viral: Plane parked, engine gutted, workers circling. Passenger shot shows twisted metal inside intake. No flames, good sign. Shared on Insta, X – millions views by noon.

Reactions: Some slam ground ops; others praise safe landing. Memes flew: "Baggage claims baggage!" Aviation nerds debate FOD fixes.​

Similar Past Air India Engine Mishaps

Not first rodeo. Dec 22, 2025: Delhi-Mumbai 777 lost oil pressure post-takeoff, returned safe. 355 aboard. Crew shut engine per book.​

Earlier: Bird gulps, hail hits. Pattern? Quick returns save lives. Stats show 90% incidents end no-harm.​

Global: Emirates had cart suck-in 2023; United bird 2024. Airports worldwide tweak after.​

Aviation Safety Lessons from Container Incident

Key takeaway: Ground ops as vital as skies. Fog demands slow speeds, escorts. Containers need locks, zones cleared. Pilots train for FOD alerts.​

Regulators push: More cameras, RFID tags on gear. AI predicts fog risks. India aims zero major FOD by 2030.​

For flyers: Ear on announcements; apps for reroutes. Planes built tough – one engine fine for fly.​

How Airports Prevent Loose Objects on Runways

Daily sweeps, nets, rules. Delhi: 1,000 staff patrol. But peak fog? Chaos. New tech: Drones scan taxiways.​

Post-this: Extra chains, training. Cost? Low vs. engine swap (₹50 crore+).​

What Happens Next for the Damaged A350

Engine strip-down starts now. Parts from UK. Test flights post-fix. Back service? Feb 2026 maybe. Insurance covers.

Probe wraps weeks: Faulty tie-down? Fog oversight? Findings public.​

Passenger Rights After Flight Disruptions

India rules: Food after 2hrs, hotel if overnight, full refund if >3hrs delay. Air India complies. File via site.​

Fog Season Challenges at Indian Airports

Delhi: 50 fog days/year. Mumbai, Kolkata too. Solutions: CAT III runways, better de-ice. 2026 budget boosts.

Final Thoughts: What This Air India Engine Damage Means for Flyers

The Air India engine damage incident at Delhi Airport is a clear reminder that aviation safety depends not only on planes and pilots, but also on ground operations. Even a small mistake on the runway or during baggage handling can lead to serious technical problems for large aircraft like the Airbus A350.

The good news is that no passengers were harmed, and the aircraft’s safety systems worked exactly as they should. The plane was grounded on time, the issue was detected early, and proper inspections began immediately. This shows that modern aviation is designed to catch problems before they turn into disasters.

For passengers, this incident should not cause fear but awareness. Flying remains one of the safest ways to travel, and incidents like this often lead to better rules, stricter checks, and improved airport procedures, especially during foggy winter conditions in cities like Delhi.

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