An Air India flight arriving from Delhi was grounded at Kempegowda International Airport after the aircraft reportedly suffered a tail strike while landing in Bengaluru on Thursday. Officials confirmed that the aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew members deboarded without injuries. The incident involved flight AI2651, operated using an Airbus A321 aircraft, which was immediately withdrawn from service for mandatory technical inspections and safety checks after the damage was detected.
A tail strike occurs when the rear section of an aircraft makes contact with the runway during take-off or landing, and aviation experts treat such incidents seriously because they can affect the structural integrity of the aircraft. Following the incident, engineering teams began detailed inspections to check for possible structural or technical damage before the aircraft can be cleared for operations again. Airport authorities and airline officials have not yet disclosed the full extent of the damage, while a technical assessment remains underway as per standard aviation safety procedures.
Due to the grounding of the aircraft, the return flight from Bengaluru to Delhi had to be cancelled, affecting several passengers. Air India stated that alternative travel arrangements were being made for affected travelers and confirmed that ground staff at the airport were assisting passengers with rebooking and support services. The Tata Group-owned airline also said the incident would be investigated in coordination with aviation regulators to determine the exact cause of the tail strike and ensure compliance with all safety protocols.
