In a concerning incident on the night of September 2, metal fragments from an aircraft that had taken off from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport were found scattered across the Vasant Kunj area of the capital. The discovery triggered immediate panic among residents and authorities alike.
The incident was first reported around 9:30 pm when a resident of Vasant Kunj heard the sound of debris hitting the roof of their house. Upon inspection, the homeowner found several pieces of metal and promptly alerted the Delhi Police Control Room. The information was swiftly relayed to airport authorities, setting off a chain of events to identify the aircraft involved.
The Air Traffic Control (ATC) at IGI Airport, upon being notified, quickly began the process of identifying all flights that had flown over the Vasant Kunj area during the time of the incident. After a thorough investigation, it was determined that the fragments likely came from Air India Express flight IX-145, which had departed from Delhi earlier that evening.
Air India Express officials said that the flight took off from Delhi on September 2. After takeoff, a problem in the engine was detected. (File Photo/PTI)
Upon confirmation, the ATC contacted the pilot of the Air India Express flight and instructed them to return to the airport as a precautionary measure. The aircraft made a safe landing at IGI Airport, and all passengers and crew on board were unharmed.
Airport sources revealed that the issue likely originated from a problem detected in the plane’s engine shortly after takeoff. In response, the pilot followed established safety protocols, leading to the aircraft’s early return.
Air India Express officials acknowledged the incident, stating that while the fragments found in Vasant Kunj are suspected to have come from their aircraft, they could not yet confirm this definitively. An investigation is currently underway, with the regulator and other relevant agencies involved.
The South West District Police have also confirmed that they are awaiting the official investigation report to determine whether the metal pieces indeed belonged to the Air India Express flight. The incident has raised serious concerns about aircraft safety, with authorities expected to scrutinize the airline’s maintenance practices closely.
Despite the alarming nature of the event, the swift response from all parties involved ensured that no injuries occurred and that the situation was brought under control promptly. Further details are expected once the investigation concludes.
