SWISS flight LX147 engine failure at Delhi: AAIB finds turbine, compressor damage
Synopsis
India's AAIB has released a preliminary report on the SWISS flight LX147 engine failure at Delhi's IGI Airport on 26 April, revealing extensive turbine and compressor damage, seized shafts, and debris-blocked bleed valves — raising serious questions about what triggered the failure on a fully loaded Airbus A330 carrying 245 people.
Key Takeaways
SWISS flight LX147 aborted take-off at Indira Gandhi International Airport on 26 April 2025 after Engine No.
1 failed at 106 knots .
The Airbus A330-343 was carrying 245 people — 232 passengers and 13 crew ; six people were injured.
Borescope inspection found damage to High Pressure Turbine blades , Nozzle Guide Vanes , Intermediate and Low Pressure Turbine blades , and High Pressure Compressor blades .
Both the high-pressure shaft and intermediate-pressure shaft were seized, limiting the scope of the initial inspection.
France's BEA , Airbus , and EASA are supporting the AAIB investigation; flight recorders have been removed for analysis.
Safety recommendations may be issued as the investigation progresses.
India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Sunday, 1 June 2025 released its preliminary report on the serious incident involving Swiss International Air Lines flight LX147, which suffered a left-engine failure during take-off at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi on 26 April 2025. The bureau has classified the occurrence as a 'serious incident', with six people reported injured.
What Happened on the Runway
Flight LX147, operating an Airbus A330-343 en route from New Delhi to Zurich, was carrying 245 people — 232 passengers and 13 crew members — when the flight crew rejected take-off at approximately 1:27 am IST after Engine No. 1 failed at a speed of around 106 knots. The crew immediately informed air traffic control and declared an emergency. Pilots subsequently reported hearing a 'loud bang' and observing a large flame from the left-hand engine. The aircraft also veered left before being brought to a safe stop on the runway.
Emergency Response at Delhi Airport
A full emergency was declared at the airport following the incident. All seven emergency gates were opened to facilitate rescue and response operations. Four passengers reportedly sustained injuries during the incident, with the total injury count standing at six according to the AAIB classification.
Extent of Engine Damage
A visual inspection of the aircraft revealed small metal particles and debris in the exhaust section of the damaged engine. External observations prior to the borescope inspection identified broken bolts and spacers of the high-pressure/intermediate-pressure bearing support inside the thrust reverser ducts, along with high-pressure bleed valves partially blocked by debris.
The borescope inspection of the engine core uncovered damage to the High Pressure Turbine blades and Nozzle Guide Vanes. Additional damage was found in the Intermediate Pressure Turbine blades, Low Pressure Turbine blades, and High Pressure Compressor blades and stator vanes. Both the high-pressure shaft and the intermediate-pressure shaft were found seized, preventing a full inspection of the engine interior.
Investigation Status and International Support
The Solid State Flight Data Recorder (SSFDR) and the Solid State Cockpit Voice Recorder (SSCVR) have been removed for detailed analysis. Investigators are examining crew data, flight data, and air traffic control records to reconstruct the sequence of events. The affected engine will undergo a comprehensive examination to identify the root cause of the malfunction.
The probe is being supported by France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Aviation Safety (BEA), which has appointed an accredited representative. Aircraft manufacturer Airbus and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have also been formally associated with the investigation. The AAIB noted that safety recommendations may be issued as the probe advances.
What Comes Next
This is the preliminary report stage; a final determination of the root cause is pending full analysis of the flight recorders and engine components. The involvement of BEA, Airbus, and EASA signals the technical complexity of the failure. All eyes will be on the detailed engine teardown, which is expected to clarify whether the damage originated in the turbine section, the compressor, or the bearing support structure.
Point of View
Debris-blocked bleed valves, and multi-stage turbine and compressor damage — rather than a single-point fault, which complicates root-cause analysis. The fact that both the high-pressure and intermediate-pressure shafts are seized means investigators cannot yet fully inspect the engine core, leaving the initiating event unknown. With 245 people on board and a runway abort at 106 knots, the margin was uncomfortably thin. The involvement of BEA, Airbus, and EASA alongside AAIB reflects the seriousness of the find and raises the question of whether this engine's failure pattern has been seen elsewhere in the A330 fleet — something the final report will need to address directly.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to SWISS flight LX147 at Delhi airport?
SWISS International Air Lines flight LX147, bound for Zurich, aborted its take-off at Indira Gandhi International Airport on 26 April 2025 after Engine No. 1 failed at around 106 knots. The crew heard a loud bang, saw a large flame from the left engine, and brought the Airbus A330-343 to a safe stop on the runway. Six people were injured among the 245 on board.
What damage did investigators find in the engine?
The AAIB's borescope inspection found damage to High Pressure Turbine blades and Nozzle Guide Vanes, as well as Intermediate Pressure Turbine blades, Low Pressure Turbine blades, and High Pressure Compressor blades and stator vanes. Broken bolts and spacers were found in the thrust reverser ducts, and high-pressure bleed valves were partially blocked by debris. Both the high-pressure and intermediate-pressure shafts were seized.
Who is investigating the SWISS flight engine failure?
India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the investigation. France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Aviation Safety (BEA) has appointed an accredited representative to assist, and both Airbus and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have been formally associated with the probe.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The AAIB has published a preliminary report and removed the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder for detailed analysis. Investigators are examining crew data, flight data, and ATC records. The engine will undergo a full teardown to identify the root cause; safety recommendations may follow.
How serious was the incident classified?
The AAIB classified the occurrence as a 'serious incident' — a category below an accident but above a routine occurrence under international aviation safety standards. Six people sustained injuries, and a full airport emergency was declared with all seven emergency gates activated.
