Major Scare at Delhi Airport as Air India Plane Catches Fire
A major aviation scare unfolded on Wednesday when Air India Flight AI 315 catches fire shortly after landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.
The flight, which arrived from Hong Kong, experienced a sudden fire in the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) as the aircraft was being parked at the gate. Fortunately, all 170 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated without injury.
What Happened?
According to Air India’s official statement, the fire erupted from the APU — a component in the aircraft’s tail section that powers systems when the main engines are off.
- The fire was quickly extinguished thanks to ground emergency services.
- The aircraft sustained minor damage, but the situation could have turned catastrophic had it not been contained in time.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an official inquiry into the incident.
A Troubling Pattern of Safety Issues
This isn’t an isolated incident for Air India. It marks the third mishap in just two days:
- July 21: A Kochi-Mumbai flight skidded off the runway at Mumbai Airport due to torrential rains.
- Result: Three tires burst, possible engine damage reported.
- A Delhi-bound Air India flight was forced to abort takeoff following a technical fault on the runway.
- Just last month, Air India Flight AI 171 crashed in Ahmedabad, claiming the lives of 260 people, prompting widespread calls for a safety overhaul.
Investigations & Global Oversight
In light of the recurring issues, aviation watchdogs are stepping in:
- The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has announced it will audit Air India Express, the airline’s low-cost subsidiary.
- Authorities are also looking into whether a tail-section electrical fault caused last month’s tragic AI 171 crash.
The repeated incidents are triggering calls for urgent inspections, audits, and corrective measures across the fleet.
Air India Responds
Despite the alarming series of events, Air India maintains that passenger safety remains its top priority.
- The airline has proactively inspected its fleet of Boeing 787s and 737s.
- No fuel control switch malfunctions were found during these checks.
“We are committed to the highest safety standards,” a spokesperson said.
However, critics and experts are urging greater transparency and stricter regulatory oversight as public trust in Air India’s safety standards hangs in the balance.
