Airlines
Air India Flight Skids Off Runway: Tyres Burst, Engine Damaged at Mumbai Airport
Air India plane suffers runway excursion in Mumbai during landing; photos reveal engine nacelle damage, tyres burst, and DGCA steps in for inspection.
Another scare. Another close call. As the monsoon rains continued to batter Mumbai, a routine landing turned into a moment of panic for passengers and crew on board an Air India flight — once again putting the airline under the spotlight.
The Incident
On Monday, Air India flight AI2744, arriving from Kochi in Kerala, had a rough landing at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. In what officials call a “runway excursion”, the aircraft veered slightly off the designated path while landing in heavy rain — briefly shutting down the runway and causing visible damage to the underside of the right engine.
Passengers and crew were safely evacuated from the aircraft, with Air India confirming that everyone had disembarked without stating whether anyone was injured.
Visual Evidence and Engine Damage
Dramatic images from the scene showed the right engine nacelle — the outer casing that houses the engine — damaged after apparent contact with the runway surface or its soft grassy edges. The damage was significant: grass clumps were clearly visible stuck to the rear of the engine, indicating that the impact went deep into the soggy side of the strip.
The situation could have been worse, but the aircraft managed to taxi safely after the rough landing.
What Went Wrong?
Early reports suggest heavy rainfall and poor visibility might have played a role. Mumbai had been facing continuous downpours, leading to waterlogging and disruptions in transportation across the city. Sources also told The Times of India that three of the aircraft’s tyres burst during the excursion.
Further complicating the picture, a Firstpost report hinted at “potential engine damage from suction of debris,” though this has yet to be confirmed officially.
Airline and Regulatory Response
Air India has grounded the aircraft and launched a technical inspection to assess the full extent of the damage. A spokesperson for the airline confirmed:
“The aircraft has been grounded for checks. The safety of passengers and crew remains our top priority.”
Meanwhile, both pilots involved in the flight have been derostered — a standard procedure pending investigation — as the airline and authorities await clarity on what caused the mishap.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has stepped in and sent a team to evaluate the aircraft and the site of the incident.
Final Words
This close call serves as another reminder of how unpredictable flying can become during extreme weather — and how critical safety protocols are in ensuring that such incidents end without casualties.
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