An Air India plane flying from Delhi to Bengaluru was grounded after its tail hit the runway while landing at the airport on Thursday. Aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has begun its investigation into the matter, officials familiar with the incident said.
“The active pilots have been removed from the list pending investigation,” an official said.
Air India confirmed the incident and said: “Flight AI2651, which was flying from Delhi to Bengaluru on May 21, suffered a tail strike during landing. The aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew disembarked normally.”
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She added: “The plane was stopped for a detailed examination. The accident will be investigated in accordance with established procedures, in coordination with the relevant regulatory authorities.”
The airline also confirmed that as a result of the incident, its onward flight AI2652 from Bengaluru to Delhi has been cancelled.
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“Alternative arrangements are being made to accommodate the affected passengers as soon as possible. Our ground teams in Bengaluru are providing all necessary assistance. Air India regrets the inconvenience caused,” an Air India spokesperson said. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority.”
A second official familiar with the matter said, “The accident occurred due to disturbances in the wake, and the pilots decided to turn around at the last minute because of that.”
“A B747 cargo plane had just taken off before the Air India flight attempted to land. Then the A321 plane made a U-turn due to wing turbulence,” another official said.
Wake turbulence is the turbulent, chaotic air left behind the aircraft. It is the turbulence caused by the aircraft that can affect the aircraft’s handling due to the strength, duration and direction of the vortices.
An airline official said that the Delhi-bound passengers affected by the accident were accommodated in an alternative aircraft.
