New Delhi, India: A Hong Kong–Delhi Air India flight experienced a fire in its auxiliary power unit (APU) shortly after landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported. The incident is under investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Flight AI 315, operated by an Airbus A321neo, had just arrived from Hong Kong and was on the taxiway when a fire broke out in the APU, located in the aircraft’s tail section. The APU provides electrical power to the aircraft while it is on the ground. Fire and smoke were detected during disembarkation, prompting immediate deployment of fire tenders. According to airport officials, the fire was quickly extinguished and the aircraft was evacuated without incident. Visuals from the scene showed flames and smoke near the rear fuselage before the emergency response teams brought the situation under control. In a statement, Air India confirmed that the fire occurred while the aircraft was on ground power. “The aircraft’s auxiliary power unit (APU) caught fire after landing. The fire was detected while passengers were disembarking, and the aircraft's built-in systems automatically shut down the APU. All passengers and crew are safe,” the airline said. The aircraft has been grounded for further inspection. The DGCA has launched a technical investigation into the incident. Initial assessments suggest a possible maintenance-related fault in the APU system, though a definitive cause will only be determined after a full inspection of the aircraft’s systems and maintenance records. This comes at a time when Air India is already under regulatory oversight following a fatal crash last month and a series of operational incidents. In response to the June 12 crash of Flight AI 171, the DGCA had recently directed a detailed inspection of locking mechanisms in the fuel control switches across Air India’s Boeing fleet. The airline completed the checks and reported no discrepancies. The incident marks the third technical issue involving an Air India aircraft in less than 48 hours. On Monday, another Airbus A320 operating a domestic route skidded off the runway at Mumbai airport during heavy rainfall. That aircraft, too, was grounded, though no injuries were reported. A senior DGCA official said that while the APU fire is a ground-level issue with no impact on in-flight operations, it is being treated seriously due to its potential safety implications. “We are reviewing the aircraft’s maintenance records, crew statements, and sensor logs. Based on the outcome, further directives may be issued to the airline,” the official added. The affected aircraft will remain grounded until the investigation is complete and any necessary corrective actions are taken.
Incidents

Air India Plane Catches Fire After Landing in Delhi, Third Technical Glitch in 48 Hours

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New Delhi, India: A Hong Kong–Delhi Air India flight experienced a fire in its auxiliary power unit (APU) shortly after […]