Thu Jan 15 10:25:36 UTC 2026: # Air India Flight AI101 Suffers Engine Damage After Incident at Delhi Airport
The Story:
An Air India A350, operating as Flight AI101 from New Delhi to New York (JFK), experienced a series of unfortunate events on January 15, 2026. Initially, the flight was forced to return to Delhi shortly after takeoff due to the unexpected closure of Iranian airspace. Upon landing in Delhi amidst dense fog, the aircraft ingested a cargo container into its right engine while taxiing, causing substantial damage.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incident to determine how the foreign object entered the engine. The airline confirmed the incident, emphasizing that all passengers and crew were safe.
Key Points:
- Date of Incident: January 15, 2026
- Flight Number: AI101 (New Delhi to New York – JFK)
- Aircraft Type: Air India A350
- Initial Cause of Return: Unexpected closure of Iranian airspace
- Cause of Engine Damage: Ingestion of a cargo container while taxiing in dense fog after landing in Delhi.
- Location of Incident: Taxiway N/N4 junction at Delhi Airport around 05:25 IST
- Container Source: A BWFS tug transporting containers to the Baggage Makeup Area of Terminal 3.
- Visibility: Marginal at the time of the incident.
- Investigation: The DGCA has launched a probe.
Key Takeaways:
- The incident highlights the potential risks associated with operating in conditions of low visibility at busy airports.
- The unexpected closure of Iranian airspace underscores the volatile geopolitical landscape and its potential impact on air travel.
- Cargo handling procedures at Delhi Airport will likely face scrutiny following the incident.
- The safety of passengers and crew was maintained throughout the incident, despite the engine damage.
First Piper 