An Air India flight bound for Bengaluru was forced to make an emergency landing at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday after a fire alert was detected in one of its engines. The Airbus A320neo aircraft, operating as flight AI-807, had taken off with 173 passengers and seven crew members on board when the crew received an alarm indicating an engine fire. Prompt action by the pilots ensured a safe return to the airport, where emergency services were on standby.
According to reports, the fire alert was observed shortly after the aircraft's departure from Delhi. The pilots immediately initiated emergency procedures, which included shutting down the affected engine and turning back towards the airport. Upon landing, the aircraft was met by fire tenders and other emergency vehicles, although no external fire was visible. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported.
This incident occurred mere hours after another Air India aircraft, an Airbus A321 operating flight AI-1807 from Delhi to Bengaluru, experienced a tail strike during its take-off from Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport. Tail strikes, where the tail of an aircraft scrapes the runway during take-off or landing, are serious incidents that can compromise the structural integrity of the airframe, requiring thorough inspection and repairs before the aircraft can return to service.
Air India has confirmed both incidents and stated that a full investigation has been launched into the engine fire alert on the Delhi flight. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India's aviation regulator, has been informed of both events and is expected to oversee the investigations. Such incidents, while relatively rare, highlight the critical importance of robust safety protocols and prompt responses from flight crews and ground support.
The repeated occurrences within a short timeframe for the same airline could draw increased scrutiny from aviation authorities regarding maintenance practices and operational procedures. While the immediate focus is on understanding the technical faults, the broader implications for Air India's safety record and passenger confidence will be closely monitored.