Air India flight AI2651 suffers tail strike landing in Bengaluru, grounded
Synopsis
An Air India Delhi-Bengaluru flight carrying 179 people suffered a tail strike on landing at Bengaluru, grounding the aircraft and cancelling its return leg — the latest safety incident for an airline already under scrutiny over the June 2025 Ahmedabad crash that killed 260 people.
Key Takeaways
Air India flight AI2651 suffered a tail strike while landing at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru on 21 May .
The aircraft had 179 people on board; all passengers and crew disembarked safely with no injuries reported.
Return flight AI2652 from Bengaluru to Delhi was cancelled; Air India is arranging alternative travel for affected passengers.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the AAIB investigation into the AI 171 Ahmedabad crash — which killed 260 people on 12 June 2025 — could be completed within a month.
The AAIB submitted its preliminary findings to the ministry on 12 July 2025 ; the final report will face international scrutiny.
An Air India flight from Delhi to Bengaluru suffered a tail strike while landing at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, the airline confirmed on Thursday, 21 May. Flight AI2651, carrying 179 people on board, was grounded immediately after the incident for a detailed technical inspection.
What Happened During Landing
The aircraft experienced a tail strike — a condition where the rear fuselage makes contact with the runway surface during landing — at Bengaluru airport. Air India stated that the aircraft landed safely and that all passengers and crew disembarked normally, with no injuries reported. The airline has initiated an investigation in line with established aviation safety procedures.
Impact on Return Flight and Passengers
As a direct consequence of the grounding, the return service AI2652 from Bengaluru to Delhi was cancelled. Air India said alternative arrangements are being made to accommodate affected passengers at the earliest. Tail strikes, while relatively rare, typically require thorough structural checks before an aircraft can return to service, often resulting in multi-day groundings.
Broader Aviation Safety Context
The incident comes against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny on Air India's safety record. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu recently disclosed that the investigation into the crash of Air India Flight AI 171 — which claimed 260 lives in Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025 — is in its final stages and could be completed within a month.
'The crash investigation is in the final stage and could even be completed in a month. However, the investigation is being done by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and we don't interfere in it. We are giving them all the resources they need,' the minister said.
AI 171 Crash Investigation Status
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) submitted its preliminary findings to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation on 12 July 2025. The fatal crash involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that took off from Runway 23 of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, bound for London Gatwick. Minister Naidu emphasised that the final report will face international scrutiny, given that foreign nationals were among those who perished.
Separately, some families of the AI 171 victims have raised concerns over inadequate communication and delays in compensation from the airline. Naidu said the ministry is closely monitoring the situation and remains in regular contact with Air India. With two significant aviation safety events now under simultaneous scrutiny, pressure on India's civil aviation regulator to enforce accountability is intensifying.
Point of View
While welcome, raises the question of why it has taken this long. For Air India, rebranding and fleet expansion mean little if safety incidents continue to accumulate before the Ahmedabad investigation is even closed. The regulator's credibility depends on whether the AI 171 final report produces enforceable corrective actions — not just a timeline.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tail strike and how serious is it?
A tail strike occurs when the rear fuselage of an aircraft contacts the runway during takeoff or landing. It can cause structural damage that is not always visible externally, making a thorough inspection mandatory before the aircraft can fly again.
Were there any injuries in the Air India AI2651 tail strike?
No injuries were reported. Air India confirmed that all 179 passengers and crew members on board disembarked normally after the aircraft landed safely at Bengaluru airport.
Why was return flight AI2652 cancelled?
Flight AI2652 from Bengaluru to Delhi was cancelled because the aircraft involved in the tail strike was grounded for a detailed structural inspection, leaving no replacement aircraft available for the return service.
What is the current status of the Air India AI 171 crash investigation?
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) submitted its preliminary findings to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation on 12 July 2025. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has said the final report could be completed within a month, and will be subject to international scrutiny given that foreign nationals were among the 260 victims.
How are families of AI 171 victims being supported?
Some victim families have raised concerns about inadequate communication and delays in compensation from Air India. Minister Naidu stated that the ministry is closely monitoring the situation and is in regular contact with the airline to address these grievances.
