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SWISS Air Flight Engine Catches Fire During Takeoff at Delhi Airport: Six Passengers Injured in Emergency Evacuation of Airbus A330

Six passengers were hospitalised after a SWISS International Air Lines flight bound for Zurich was forced to abort takeoff and evacuate on the

Anjali K. 2 days ago · 4 min read

SWISS Air Flight Engine Catches Fire During Takeoff at Delhi Airport: Six Passengers Injured in Emer

Six passengers were hospitalised after a SWISS International Air Lines flight bound for Zurich was forced to abort takeoff and evacuate on the runway at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) early on Sunday, 26 April 2026, following an engine failure and fire. The incident involved flight LX 147, operated by an Airbus A330 (registration HB-JHK), which was carrying 232 passengers, four infants, and crew members at the time.

How the Incident Unfolded

According to initial reports from aviation authorities and Flightradar24 data, the aircraft was on its takeoff roll on runway 28 at approximately 1:08 AM local time when engine number one suffered a failure and caught fire. The crew immediately rejected the takeoff — a procedure known as a rejected takeoff or RTO — at a recorded ground speed of 104 knots (approximately 193 kilometres per hour). The aircraft was brought to a halt on the runway, and the captain ordered an emergency evacuation using the aircraft’s inflatable slides.

All 232 passengers, including four infants, and crew members evacuated the aircraft via the emergency slides. Six passengers sustained injuries during the evacuation and were transported to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram for treatment. Airport emergency services, including fire tenders and ambulances, responded to the scene within minutes. Runway 28 was subsequently closed until the aircraft could be towed away, causing temporary disruptions to early morning flight operations at one of India’s busiest airports.

SWISS Airlines Responds

In an official statement, SWISS confirmed the incident: “We are aware of an incident involving flight LX147 in Delhi. The aircraft involved is an Airbus A330 (HB-JHK). SWISS has established a task force. There were 228 passengers and 4 infants on board. Shortly after takeoff, just after 1 AM local time in India, an issue occurred with one of the engines. The crew followed standard procedures and evacuated the aircraft.”

The airline said it had activated its care team to assist affected passengers and was working with Indian aviation authorities and Airbus to investigate the cause of the engine failure. Passengers were provided with hotel accommodation and meal arrangements while rebooking onto alternative flights was arranged. The airline has not yet specified whether the engine failure was related to mechanical fatigue, a bird strike, or another cause.

Expert Analysis: Rejected Takeoff at High Speed

Aviation experts noted that a rejected takeoff at 104 knots is a high-stress scenario that tests both crew training and aircraft systems. The decision speed, known as V1, is the critical point beyond which the takeoff must continue even if an engine fails. That the crew successfully stopped the aircraft and initiated an orderly evacuation at near-V1 speed has been praised by industry observers as a testament to their training and composure.

“Rejecting a takeoff at over 100 knots on a fully loaded A330 is no small feat,” said Captain Rajesh Chadha (retd.), a former Air India pilot and aviation safety consultant. “The tyres heat up enormously, and there is always a risk of brake fire. The fact that only six passengers were injured — likely during the slide evacuation rather than from the fire itself — suggests the crew handled this textbook.”

Delhi Airport Operations Resume

The Airports Authority of India confirmed that runway 28 was reopened by 4:30 AM after the aircraft was towed to a parking bay. Flight operations at IGI Airport, which handles over 1,400 flights daily, returned to normal by the early morning. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said it had launched a formal investigation into the incident and would examine the aircraft’s maintenance records, engine history, and flight data recorder.

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India’s aviation sector has seen tremendous growth in recent years, with the expansion of Indian and international airline routes making IGI Airport one of the busiest in Asia. Safety incidents, though rare, attract significant scrutiny given the volume of passenger traffic. The record summer travel season across India means both airports and railways are operating at peak capacity.

Passenger Accounts

Passengers who were on board flight LX 147 described the terrifying moments after the engine failure. “There was a loud bang and then we could see flames from the left engine through the window,” said Priya Mehta, 34, a software engineer from Noida who was travelling to Switzerland for a conference. “The pilots braked hard and then they told us to evacuate immediately. People were scared, but the crew kept everyone calm.”

Another passenger, Swiss national Thomas Keller, 52, praised the crew’s professionalism. “I have flown hundreds of times, and I never thought I would experience something like this. The flight attendants were incredibly composed. They directed us to the slides and made sure families with children went first.” The injured passengers were reported to have sustained bruises and minor sprains during the slide evacuation, with no life-threatening injuries.

What Happens Next

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The DGCA investigation is expected to take several weeks. The engine — believed to be a Rolls-Royce Trent 700, the standard powerplant for A330 aircraft — will be sent for detailed examination. Airbus and Rolls-Royce have both offered technical support to the investigation. SWISS Airlines said it would issue further updates as more information becomes available and reiterated its commitment to passenger safety.

For passengers whose international travel plans have been disrupted, SWISS has set up a dedicated helpline and is offering full refunds or rebooking on the next available flights to Zurich and other European destinations.

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Anjali K.

Anjali K. is a Senior Writer at Daily Tips specialising in health, nutrition, regional cuisine, and cultural reporting. Her writing draws on extensive research and first-hand reporting — whether she's exploring the revival of millets in Indian diets or documenting the food traditions of Northeast India. Anjali holds a background in nutrition science and brings an evidence-based approach to her health and wellness coverage.

Anjali K.

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