Picture credits: Wikimedia Commons
Chennai: An IndiGo Airbus A321, operating as flight 6E5325 from Mumbai, suffered a tail strike while landing at Chennai International Airport on March 8, 2025. The aircraft’s tail contacted the runway during touchdown, leading to an immediate response from aviation authorities.
Aircraft Grounded for Inspection
Following the incident, IndiGo confirmed that the aircraft was grounded for a thorough inspection and repairs. In an official statement, the airline said: “The aircraft is grounded and will be back in operations post necessary repairs and clearance. At IndiGo, the safety of our customers, crew, and aircraft is our top priority. We operate with the highest standards of safety.”
DGCA Investigation Underway
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an inquiry into the incident. A senior DGCA official stated that investigators would review flight operations, pilot handling, and aircraft technical performance to determine the cause of the tail strike.
Recurring Tail Strike Concerns
This is not the first time the aircraft, registered as VT-IBI, has suffered a tail strike. A similar event was reported in September 2024, when the same aircraft struck the runway during takeoff from Delhi Airport on a flight to Bengaluru.
IndiGo’s Airbus A321 fleet has faced regulatory scrutiny over multiple tail strikes in recent years. In July 2023, the DGCA imposed a ₹30 lakh fine on the airline after four tail strike incidents were recorded within six months. Regulatory reviews pointed to gaps in pilot training and operational procedures, leading to corrective actions.
There were no reported injuries among passengers or crew. However, the repeated nature of these incidents has drawn attention to safety protocols in place for IndiGo’s A321 operations.
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