An alarming safety lapse at Delhi Airport saw a shipping container get ingested by an Air India plane’s engine, triggering DGCA’s urgent fact-finding mission. The episode has aviation regulators on high alert, probing lapses that could have spelled disaster.
It happened in the early hours when the aircraft powered up engines for a long-haul flight. The container, part of routine freight loading, edged perilously close before being violently drawn in. Rapid shutdown and crew actions contained the risk, with no casualties or fire reported.
DGCA’s investigation zeroes in on human factors, procedural adherence, and infrastructural safeguards. Specialized equipment will assess engine integrity, while digital logs reveal operational sequences. ‘Root cause analysis is priority one,’ officials stated.
For Air India, this blemish tests its operational resilience post-restructuring. The airline has grounded the plane, rerouted flights, and bolstered staff briefings. Airport authorities are reviewing all active aprons for similar vulnerabilities.
Broader implications loom for India’s aviation boom, with cargo throughput hitting records. Lessons from this could mandate AI-driven monitoring and stricter FOD prevention drills. As the DGCA delves deeper, the nation anticipates measures ensuring skies stay safe for millions flying daily.