Air India flight suffers tailstrike while landing at B’luru airport

BENGALURU, 21 MAY

An Air India aircraft with 181 passengers onboard experienced a tail strike during landing at Bengaluru airport on Thursday morning, leading to the aircraft being grounded for detailed inspection. The narrow-body A321 aircraft was operating flight AI2651 from Delhi to Bengaluru. An airline spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating the plane “experienced a tail-strike during landing”. Despite this, the aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally.

A source explained that the plane encountered “wake turbulence” near landing, prompting the pilot to perform a go-around manoeuvre, during which the tail strike occurred. The turbulence was reportedly caused by a wide-body aircraft taking off nearby, though details about this aircraft remain unconfirmed. The flight, operated with an A321, had 181 passengers onboard.

The airline stated that the aircraft has been grounded for a thorough inspection, and the incident will be investigated following established procedures with relevant authorities. The return flight, AI2652 from Bengaluru to Delhi, has been cancelled, and alternative arrangements are being made for affected passengers. Ground teams in Bengaluru are providing assistance, and the airline has expressed regret for the inconvenience caused.

According to the US Federal Aviation Administration, “wake turbulence” results from lift-generated vortices trailing behind an aircraft, which can impact other aircraft depending on the vortices’ strength, duration, and direction.