Mumbai | July 21, 2025: A major aviation scare was averted on Monday morning when an Air India flight arriving at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport suffered a critical tyre burst upon landing, causing the aircraft to momentarily veer off course. Fortunately, all passengers and crew onboard escaped unhurt.
The incident occurred when the Delhi-to-Mumbai Air India flight touched down on Runway 27 at around 9:15 AM. According to initial reports from airport authorities, three of the aircraft’s tyres burst during landing, triggering an emergency response. The pilot, however, managed to bring the plane under control and safely steer it to a halt at a safe point.
Airport operations were briefly disrupted as emergency services rushed to the scene. The affected runway was temporarily closed for inspection and clearing, causing minor delays to other arriving flights. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an inquiry to ascertain the cause of the tyre failure and whether it was due to a technical malfunction or excessive pressure on touchdown.
Previous Incidents Raise Safety Concerns
This is not the first time a landing-related mishap has occurred at Mumbai airport or involved Air India. A number of similar incidents have raised eyebrows over the safety standards and maintenance protocols of Indian aviation carriers.
- February 2024: An IndiGo aircraft arriving from Nagpur had a tyre burst on landing at Mumbai, leading to temporary suspension of runway operations.
- October 2023: An Air India Express flight from Muscat to Kozhikode reported hydraulic failure and overshot the runway.
- May 2022: A SpiceJet aircraft suffered a tyre burst during landing in Surat, forcing the runway to be closed for several hours.
- December 2021: A Vistara flight from Delhi to Mumbai veered slightly off course due to sudden crosswinds; although no tyre burst occurred, it triggered similar concerns about weather-related landing difficulties.
These recurring episodes point to the pressing need for stricter oversight, regular aircraft maintenance, and advanced pilot training, particularly at high-traffic airports like Mumbai.
Passengers Share Their Ordeal
Several passengers took to social media shortly after the incident to share their frightening experience. “We felt a heavy jolt and then a loud thud as the flight landed. The cabin crew remained calm and guided us well, but for a moment, everyone feared the worst,” said a passenger, requesting anonymity.
Official Statement Awaited
While Air India has confirmed that the flight experienced technical difficulty during landing, a detailed official statement is still awaited. Aviation experts suggest that rapid pressure variations or under-inflated tyres could be contributing factors. The aircraft involved will undergo a full inspection before being cleared for service again.
The DGCA’s investigative team is expected to file a preliminary report within the next 48 hours.
