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IndiGo A321neo grounded after tail impact during Gorakhpur landing
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IndiGo A321neo grounded after tail impact during Gorakhpur landing

An IndiGo Airbus A321neo aircraft was grounded at Gorakhpur airport after experiencing a tail impact during its landing approach on Wednesday. The incident occurred during flight 6E 2381 from Delhi to Gorakhpur. The aircraft performed two go-arounds before successfully landing on the third attempt. Following the landing, scratches were discovered around the APU inlet, prompting maintenance checks. The aircraft remains grounded until it receives the necessary technical and regulatory clearances. Officials indicated that the technical issue related to the tail impact had been resolved, and the plane is expected to depart by Saturday. Tail impacts can happen when the aircraft's nose is raised too high during landing, potentially causing the tail to touch the runway or nearby objects. The A321neo's extended fuselage increases its vulnerability to such incidents.

An IndiGo Airbus A321neo suffered a tail-strike incident during landing at Gorakhpur Airport on August 19, causing damage to the aircraft's underbelly. The incident marked the eighth known tail-strike involving IndiGo’s A321 fleet and the tenth overall since 2023. The aircraft, which had previously undergone repairs following a similar incident in Delhi in September 2024, was grounded immediately after the latest occurrence due to scratches detected near the auxiliary power unit (APU) inlet at the rear of the fuselage. The plane had completed a flight from Delhi to Gorakhpur before the incident, and its last operational record dates back to that day. The sequence of events began with the aircraft attempting to land in Gorakhpur. Industry sources confirmed that the pilot initiated a landing flare at a higher altitude than recommended, leading to contact between the aircraft’s tail and the runway surface. This caused visible damage to the underside of the fuselage. The pilot then decided to abort the initial landing and attempted a second approach, successfully touching down but leaving the aircraft with noticeable scuff marks. Following inspection, the plane was removed from service pending further evaluation. IndiGo has faced repeated scrutiny over tail-strike incidents involving its A321neo aircraft. Since 2023, at least ten such occurrences have been documented, with eight specifically linked to the larger A321 model. These include one incident involving an ATR regional jet and another with an A320. While the airline has acknowledged some of these incidents, there is currently no publicly accessible database tracking the frequency or severity of such events. The lack of transparency has raised concerns among aviation experts and pilots who argue for more rigorous investigations and procedural reforms. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) launched a broad inquiry into IndiGo’s A321 tail-strikes following a major incident in Delhi in September 2024. That incident resulted in significant underbelly damage after the aircraft landed, took off, and continued operations to Bengaluru without immediate detection. Another tail-strike occurred shortly after the aircraft returned to service in March 2025, prompting the AAIB to expand its probe to cover all similar cases involving the airline. Despite ongoing investigations, no formal findings or detailed reports have been released to date. Regulatory authorities have also taken notice of the recurring issues. In January 2024, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) fined IndiGo ₹30 lakh for systemic deficiencies identified in operations, training, and engineering practices. The audit highlighted lapses that could contribute to the repeated tail-strike incidents. Meanwhile, Airbus updated its Flight Crew Training Manual in early 2025, recommending that pilots initiate the landing flare at 40 feet for the A321, compared to 30 feet for other models in the A320 family. This adjustment aims to reduce the risk of tail contact during landing. Pilots operating IndiGo’s A321 fleet have expressed frustration over the lack of clear directives and support from management regarding safe landing techniques. They emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of training protocols and maintenance procedures to address the underlying causes of these incidents. Some aviation analysts believe that the repeated tail-strikes reflect deeper operational challenges within the airline, potentially affecting safety standards and passenger confidence. The grounding of the affected A321neo highlights the growing concern surrounding the reliability of IndiGo’s fleet. With the airline being Airbus’s largest customer globally, the recurrence of such incidents may influence future procurement decisions and maintenance strategies. As the AAIB continues its investigation, stakeholders await clarity on whether systemic changes will be implemented to prevent further occurrences. Until then, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of both crew and passengers amid ongoing scrutiny of IndiGo’s operational practices.

3 reports

Times of India logoTimes of IndiaIndependentCenterFactual 97Objective 96yesterday
IndiGo A321neo grounded after tail impact during Gorakhpur landing

An IndiGo Airbus A321neo aircraft was grounded at Gorakhpur airport after experiencing a tail impact during its landing approach on Wednesday. The incident occurred during flight 6E 2381 from Delhi to Gorakhpur. The aircraft performed two go-arounds before successfully landing on the third attempt. Following the landing, scratches were discovered around the APU inlet, prompting maintenance checks. The aircraft remains grounded until it receives the necessary technical and regulatory clearances. Officials indicated that the technical issue related to the tail impact had been resolved, and the plane is expected to depart by Saturday. Tail impacts can happen when the aircraft's nose is raised too high during landing, potentially causing the tail to touch the runway or nearby objects. The A321neo's extended fuselage increases its vulnerability to such incidents.

Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual account of an aviation incident without any apparent ideological framing or biased language. It focuses on the technical aspects of the event and includes quotes from officials without evident slant toward any particular viewpoint.

Why factuality (97): This article provides detailed and accurate information about the incident, including the specific model of the aircraft (Airbus A321neo), its registration (VT-ILR), and the timeline of events. It aligns closely with the information presented in the first article, confirming the grounding of the air

Why objectivity (96): The article maintains a largely objective tone, presenting facts and quoting the airline's statement without bias. However, there is a slight deviation into explanatory content about what a 'tail impact' means, which adds context but slightly shifts focus away from the core event.

India Today logoIndia TodayIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 98yesterday
IndiGo plane suffers tail impact while landing in UP's Gorakhpur, grounded

An IndiGo aircraft, flight 6E 2379, experienced a tail impact while landing at Gorakhpur airport in Uttar Pradesh on August 19, 2026. As a result, the aircraft has been grounded for inspection by authorities. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was notified of the incident according to standard procedures, and a probe team is expected to arrive soon. IndiGo stated that the aircraft is undergoing maintenance due to scratches observed near the auxiliary power unit (APU) inlet during routine checks. The airline emphasized that safety was prioritized during the incident, and the aircraft will resume operations once cleared by relevant authorities.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on an aviation incident involving an Indian airline and regulatory body without overtly favoring any political side. It includes statements from both the affected airline and the regulatory authority, providing balanced information without apparent ideological framing.

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports the incident involving IndiGo flight 6E 2379 suffering a tail impact upon landing at Gorakhpur airport on August 19, 2026, and being grounded for inspection. It includes details like the DGCA being informed, the probe team not having arrived yet, and the airline's stat

Why objectivity (98): The article presents the information in a neutral and factual manner, avoiding any biased language or opinionated statements. It quotes the airline's official statement directly and provides background on the situation without editorializing.

The Hindu logoThe HinduIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 652 days ago
IndiGo aircraft’s belly scrapes runway again; plane grounded

An IndiGo Airbus A321neo experienced a tail-strike incident during landing at Gorakhpur on August 19, marking at least the 10th such event involving the airline's A321 fleet since 2023. The aircraft, which had previously undergone repairs after a similar incident in March 2025, was grounded due to scratches found around its auxiliary power unit. Industry sources note that the A321's design makes it more prone to tail strikes, prompting calls for a thorough investigation. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) launched a comprehensive probe into all IndiGo A321 tail-strike incidents but has yet to release findings. In January 2024, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) fined IndiGo ₹30 lakh for systemic deficiencies in operations and training.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about recurring safety issues with IndiGo's A321 fleet without overtly criticizing or praising the airline. While the issue involves regulatory oversight and corporate accountability, the tone remains neutral, focusing on reported incidents and official data.

Why factuality (75): The article reports multiple tail-strike incidents involving IndiGo's A321 fleet, citing industry sources and referencing past incidents including one investigated by AAIB. While it provides specific details like dates and aircraft models, it lacks official data and does not clarify if the incidents

Why objectivity (65): The article presents the incident as a recurring issue, using phrases like 'susceptible to tail strikes' and mentioning pilot demands for a probe, which may imply a critical stance toward the airline. The tone leans slightly towards highlighting safety concerns rather than presenting a neutral accou

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