The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is set to investigate an incident in which three Air India aircraft parked at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International
(IGI) Airport were damaged after strong winds and heavy rain dislodged ground support equipment, which then struck the planes. Sources told Times Now that the aviation regulator will conduct a detailed inquiry and fix responsibility for the incident. According to airport sources, the incident took place around 4.40 pm on Sunday at Terminal 2, where the aircraft were parked at their designated bays and were not in operation. A sudden spell of gusty winds and rain reportedly caused a passenger step ladder and other ground handling equipment to break loose and collide with the parked aircraft.
Sources said no weather warning had been issued by Air Traffic Control (ATC) before the sudden deterioration in weather conditions. Aviation officials are now examining whether advance weather alerts could have helped ground handlers secure equipment and prevent the damage.
"DGCA will investigate and fix responsibility," sources said, indicating that the regulator will examine all aspects of the incident, including weather monitoring, ground handling procedures and the securing of equipment on the tarmac.
Three Air India narrow-body aircraft were damaged in the incident and subsequently withdrawn from service for inspections and repairs. While two aircraft are expected to return to operations shortly, one aircraft is likely to remain grounded for several days due to more extensive damage.
No injuries were reported as there were no passengers or staff inside the affected aircraft at the time of the incident.
The episode comes amid heightened scrutiny of aviation safety in India. The DGCA has in recent months intensified oversight of airlines, airports and ground handling agencies, conducting multiple audits and investigations into operational safety lapses.
The inquiry is expected to determine whether the damage resulted solely from extreme weather conditions or whether lapses in securing ground equipment and weather preparedness also played a role.
