An Air India flight, AI315 from Hong Kong, experienced an auxiliary power unit (APU) fire shortly after landing and parking at the gate at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Tuesday. While all passengers and crew disembarked safely, the incident has prompted an immediate grounding of the aircraft for investigations, casting a renewed spotlight on aviation safety protocols. This event, though contained, underscores the critical importance of rigorous maintenance and automated safety systems in maintaining the operational integrity of a city’s vital air connectivity.
The incident occurred as passengers began disembarking from the Airbus A321 aircraft. An airline spokesperson confirmed that the Auxiliary Power Unit, a small turbine engine typically located in the tail section of an aircraft that provides power for onboard systems when main engines are off, automatically shut down as per its designed safety mechanism. Despite some damage sustained by the aircraft, the swift and automatic response of the APU system ensured that all individuals on board remained unharmed, a testament to the built-in safeguards within modern aviation technology. The aviation regulator has been duly informed, and a comprehensive investigation is now underway to ascertain the precise cause of the fire.
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This occurrence comes at a sensitive time for Air India and the broader Indian aviation sector, following heightened scrutiny over aircraft safety. Earlier in the day, Air India announced the completion of precautionary inspections on the fuel control switch (FCS) locking mechanisms across its entire fleet of Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 aircraft. These inspections were carried out in response to directives issued by India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and followed a tragic Air India Boeing Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad last month.
A preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the Ahmedabad crash, which claimed 260 lives, revealed that the aircraft’s engines had unexpectedly shut down moments after take-off due to a disruption in fuel supply. While Air India has confirmed that its recent inspections found “no issues” with the FCS locking mechanisms on its fleet, the string of incidents, including a recent runway excursion at Mumbai airport and an aborted take-off in Delhi, highlights the pervasive challenges in ensuring consistent operational excellence amidst burgeoning air traffic and unpredictable weather patterns.
Such incidents, even those swiftly contained, inevitably impact public confidence in air travel and place immense pressure on airline operators and airport authorities to reinforce safety standards. For a rapidly urbanising nation like India, where air travel is an increasingly vital component of economic activity and social mobility, maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to safety lapses is paramount. These events serve as crucial reminders that robust regulatory oversight, advanced maintenance regimes, and continuous technological upgrades are indispensable for fostering a sustainable, equitable, and resilient air transport ecosystem that serves the aspirations of its citizens without compromise. The ongoing investigations will be pivotal in shaping future safety directives and reinforcing the trust placed in India’s aviation infrastructure.
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