Catastrophe: Flight Air India from Hong Kong to Delhi Experiences In-Flight Fire, Passengers Evacuated to Emergency Zone
In an unfortunate incident, Air India's Airbus A321, previously operated by Vistara, experienced a minor mishap at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on July 22, 2025. The auxiliary power unit (APU) of the aircraft exploded shortly after landing and parking at the gate.
Early reports suggest a maintenance failure may have caused the APU to fail, although no official conclusions have been drawn yet. The incident brought attention to Air India's operating practices due to recent safety concerns.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India is investigating the incident. Following the fire event, the aircraft was grounded for a thorough investigation. The DGCA's role includes overseeing mandatory reporting by airlines for safety-critical incidents, conducting technical investigations to identify root causes, ensuring airlines implement corrective maintenance and operational controls, and enforcing compliance with maintenance protocols and safety standards.
Common causes of APU failures in Airbus A321 aircraft often relate to mechanical or maintenance issues such as seal failures leading to oil leaks and resultant fires. In this particular case, it is believed that an APU seal failure caused hot oil to enter the bleed air supply, igniting smoke and fire.
Air India has been experiencing a series of safety issues, with a pattern starting to emerge. The DGCA systematically evaluates these incidents, and airlines must adhere to regulations and corrective action plans to prevent recurrence and maintain operational safety.
All 170 passengers and crew aboard the aircraft safely evacuated the plane. The fire broke out while the aircraft was taxiing on the ground, resulting in smoke pouring out from the rear of the Airbus A321.
These regulatory interventions aim to safeguard passenger safety and maintain airworthiness, ensuring airlines like Air India follow rigorous maintenance and operational protocols to address APU and other critical system failures.
The investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) into Air India's Airbus A321 incident reveals potential maintenance issues, as common causes of APU failures in this aircraft type often relate to seal failures and oil leaks. The DGCA's actions, along with stringent regulations for airlines, aim to ensure financial stability through improved safety standards in industries like transportation and aviation.
