New Delhi, May 21, 2026 — An Air India Airbus A321 narrow-body aircraft operating flight AI2651 from Delhi to Bengaluru was heavily grounded on Thursday morning after suffering a tail strike during its landing sequence at Kempegowda International Airport (BLR).
The flight, carrying 181 passengers and crew members, encountered severe external disturbances moments before touchdown, resulting in the rear underside of the fuselage making physical contact with the runway. Air India confirmed that despite the impact, the aircraft managed to land safely, and all occupants disembarked normally with zero reported injuries.
Wake Turbulence Triggers Aborted Landing
According to civil aviation officials and preliminary flight-tracking data, the incident occurred as the Air India flight made its final approach into Bengaluru. Moments prior, a massive Boeing 747 cargo freighter had taken off from the same runway complex.
The heavy freighter left behind severe wake turbulence—powerful, counter-rotating atmospheric vortices generated by an aircraft’s wings as it produces lift. Sources state that the Air India pilots experienced sudden, intense wing disturbances caused by these vortices at the last possible second. In a rapid bid to stabilize, the crew initiated a mandatory “go-around” maneuver (aborting the touchdown to climb back into a holding pattern). It was during this abrupt pitch-up adjustment at low altitude that the aircraft’s tail struck the tarmac.
Regulatory Action and Cancellations
The aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has launched an immediate statutory probe into the operational breakdown. Following standard operating procedures during safety reviews, both operating pilots have been temporarily off-rostered pending the final outcome of the investigation.
Flight Status Update: May 21, 2026
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Inbound Flight: AI2651 (DEL -> BLR) | STATUS: Completed (Tail Strike)
Outbound Flight: AI2652 (BLR -> DEL) | STATUS: CANCELLED
Aircraft Status: Grounded for structural integrity inspection
An Air India spokesperson released a statement addressing the incident:
“Flight AI2651 operating from Delhi to Bengaluru on 21 May experienced a tail-strike during landing. The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally. The aircraft has been grounded for detailed technical inspection. The incident will be investigated in accordance with established procedures, in coordination with the relevant regulatory authorities.”
Impact on Travelers
Because the Airbus A321 sustained structural damage to its lower fuselage, its scheduled return leg—AI2652 from Bengaluru back to New Delhi—was promptly cancelled. Air India deployed its ground response teams at Kempegowda International Airport to assist stranded passengers, organizing an alternate aircraft to transfer travelers back to the capital later in the afternoon.
While tail strikes rarely result in immediate structural disintegration or casualties, they demand deep structural evaluations. Missing inner or outer composite skin damages can threaten the aircraft’s pressurized cabin boundaries if left unrepaired. Technicians are currently conducting ultrasound and non-destructive testing (NDT) on the frame to gauge the extent of the repair work required before certifying the jet fit-for-flight.