Swiss Airbus A330 aborts takeoff at Delhi airport after engine spits flame
A Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) Airbus A330 carrying 245 people aborted its takeoff at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi on April 26 after an engine failed and spat a large flame forward. The details of the incident were revealed in a preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on June 1, 2026.
The aircraft was scheduled to operate as flight LX 147 from Delhi to Zurich, carrying 232 passengers and 13 crew members. According to the AAIB report, the plane had reached a speed of approximately 110 knots when its number one engine failed.
The engine failure was accompanied by a loud bang and a large flame spitting forward, which was visible to the crew from the cockpit. The aircraft veered to the left, prompting the flight crew to immediately abort the takeoff.
During the subsequent evacuation of the aircraft, emergency slides were deployed. Four passengers sustained injuries while evacuating the plane.
Prior to the flight, no abnormalities had been reported during the pre-flight inspection of the Airbus A330. The aircraft had previously completed its inbound flight from Zurich to Delhi, operating as flight LX 146, without incident.
While seven generic complaints were registered after the inbound flight, none of them were related to the engine, aircraft systems, serviceability, or controllability. All seven complaints were addressed and resolved, and the aircraft was cleared for the flight to Zurich.
The AAIB has launched an active investigation to determine the root cause of the engine failure. Investigators have completed an initial assessment of the aircraft and collected all flight-related documents.
The flight crew has provided their initial statements, and data from the flight recorders has been downloaded for analysis. Additionally, Air Traffic Control (ATC) records and controller statements have been secured.
The failed engine will be removed from the aircraft for a detailed examination. Investigators are also analyzing maintenance and operational records obtained from the operator, along with records from other stakeholders.
