Air India Delhi–Bengaluru Flight Undergoes Inspection After Tail-Strike Incident
Air India Delhi–Bengaluru flight grounded after tail-strike landing.
An Air India passenger aircraft operating from Delhi to Bengaluru was grounded after it experienced a tail strike during landing on Thursday, May 21, prompting flight cancellations and a detailed technical inspection as the airline and aviation authorities initiate standard safety procedures. The incident involved Air India flight AI2651, which had 179 passengers and crew members on board. According to the airline, all occupants were safe and were able to disembark normally after landing, with no injuries reported. The aircraft, however, was immediately taken out of service for inspection following the landing event.
A tail strike occurs when the rear section of an aircraft comes into contact with the runway surface during landing, take-off, or a go-around manoeuvre. Aviation safety guidelines note that such incidents are typically linked to an excessive nose-up attitude during critical phases of flight and require mandatory inspection due to potential structural stress on the fuselage. In this case, the aircraft will undergo detailed checks before being cleared to return to service. Air India confirmed that the aircraft has been grounded for a comprehensive technical assessment in coordination with relevant regulatory authorities. The airline stated that the investigation will follow established aviation safety protocols to determine the cause of the incident and whether any operational or mechanical factors contributed to the tail strike.
As a result of the grounding, the aircraft scheduled to operate the return service, flight AI2652 from Bengaluru to Delhi, was cancelled. The airline said it is making alternative travel arrangements for affected passengers at the earliest possible opportunity, with ground teams deployed in Bengaluru to assist passengers with rebooking and logistical support. Air India also issued a statement expressing regret over the disruption caused to travellers, reiterating that passenger and crew safety remains its highest priority. The airline said it is committed to ensuring that all necessary technical inspections are completed before the aircraft is returned to active service, in line with aviation safety standards.
Also Read: Air India Confirms Boeing 787 Fuel Switch Is Functional Amid Continued DGCA Scrutiny
Tail strike incidents, while relatively uncommon in commercial aviation, are treated with seriousness by regulators and airlines due to the potential risk of structural damage to the aircraft’s aft fuselage. Depending on severity, inspections may include visual checks, structural assessments, and non-destructive testing methods to ensure airworthiness. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to review the incident as part of its oversight role in such cases, though no preliminary findings have been released yet. Investigators typically examine flight data, cockpit procedures, weather conditions, and landing approach parameters to determine the sequence of events.
Passengers affected by the cancellation were advised to check updated schedules as airline operations are adjusted to accommodate rescheduling and aircraft availability. The disruption comes amid high domestic travel demand, where even single-aircraft groundings can impact multiple flight rotations across the network. While operations continue across Air India’s broader domestic schedule, the grounded aircraft will remain under observation until all required inspections are completed and regulatory clearance is granted. The airline is expected to issue further updates once preliminary assessment results are available.
Also Read: Air India Flights Delayed After AIASL Employees Protest At Mumbai Airport
