An Air India Airbus A321 operating Flight AI 315 from Hong Kong to Delhi sparked a fire in its auxiliary power unit (APU) shortly after landing and while passengers were disembarking at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
🔥 Incident Overview
According to the airline, the fire originated in the APU, a small gas turbine housed in the aircraft’s tail cone that powers onboard systems when the engines are not running . The aircraft was parked at the gate and the APU automatically shut down as designed once the fire was detected .
The aircraft reportedly carried around 170 passengers and crew, all of whom disembarked safely with no injuries reported .The airline stated that, while the aircraft sustained minor damage, it has been grounded pending investigation, and aviation regulators have been duly notified.
⚠️ Context – A String of Air India Safety Concerns
The APU fire incident follows closely on the heels of two other non-fatal but concerning events involving Air India:
- On July 21, an Air India Airbus A320 arriving from Kochi to Mumbai skidded off the runway amid heavy rainfall, bursting three tires and damaging the engine cowling .
- A separate AI 2403 flight bound for Kolkata aborted takeoff from Delhi after a technical snag during the takeoff roll, again with no injuries .
These incidents come in the wake of the tragic June 12 crash of Flight AI 171—a Boeing 787 Dreamliner—which plunged shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 260 individuals including 19 on the ground. That crash is currently under investigation amid scrutiny over possible fuel-switch malfunctions and systemic safety issues .
🛠️ What Happened & What’s Next
- Auxiliary Power Unit Fires: While rare, APU fires can occur due to mechanical failure, oil leaks, or maintenance lapses. Globally, past APU fires on the ground have forced evacuations and raised safety protocols .
- In this case, safety systems functioned as intended, shutting down the APU quickly and allowing safe disembarkation.
- Investigations are underway, led by regulatory bodies and internal airline safety teams. Early sources suggest maintenance-related causes may be under scrutiny .
✈️ Airline Response
An Air India spokesperson reiterated that passenger safety was ensured and that protocols were followed. The aircraft remains grounded and the Director‑General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been informed of the incident . Pending outcome of the investigation, further inspections of the APU system and related maintenance records are expected.