Investigation Commences Following Rejected Take-off of Swiss International Flight LX147 at Indira Gandhi International Airport

Apr 26, 2026, 22:16

Introduction

On Sunday, April 26, a Swiss International Air Lines Airbus A330-300 bound for Zurich aborted its take-off at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport due to a suspected engine failure and subsequent fire.

Main Body

The incident occurred at approximately 01:00 local time on Runway 28. According to official reports, the aircraft, commanded by Captain Guillermo Maximiliano Mulet, was accelerating at a speed between 104 and 106 knots when a malfunction in engine number one was detected. This resulted in the crew rejecting the take-off and declaring a full emergency at 01:35. Observations indicated smoke on the left side of the aircraft and fire near the right landing gear, although subsequent inspections confirmed that all tyres remained intact. The evacuation process involved 245 individuals, comprising 232 passengers (including 129 Indian nationals and four infants) and 13 crew members. Most individuals exited via inflatable emergency slides, while stairs were provided for those unable to use the slides. This procedure resulted in minor injuries to four passengers—including one minor fracture—and a sprained ankle for one cabin crew member. While initial reports suggested six passengers were injured, the airline subsequently revised this figure to four. Those affected were transported to Medanta Hospital or received first aid at Terminal 3. Operational responses were coordinated by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) through its Crisis Management Centre and a multi-agency response. The remaining 227 passengers were relocated to a special reception centre, provided hotel accommodations, and rebooked on alternative flights. Despite the temporary blockage of Runway 28, airport authorities stated that overall operations remained unaffected and schedules for other flights were maintained. Administrative and technical assessments are currently underway. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has classified the event as a 'serious incident' and has initiated a probe, which included the collection of fuel samples. Swiss International Air Lines has established a dedicated task force and is deploying technical specialists to Delhi to assist the AAIB in determining the precise cause of the engine failure.

Conclusion

The situation is currently characterized by an ongoing technical investigation by the AAIB and Swiss International Air Lines, while all affected passengers have been provided with medical attention and alternative travel arrangements.

Vocabulary Learning

aborted (v.)

to halt or terminate an action before completion中止；停止

Example:The pilot aborted the take‑off after detecting an engine malfunction.

evacuation (n.)

the act of removing people from danger疏散；撤離

Example:The evacuation process involved 245 individuals.

malfunction (n.)

a failure to function normally故障；失靈

Example:The aircraft experienced a malfunction in engine number one.

multi‑agency (adj.)

involving several agencies or departments多機構的；多部門的

Example:A multi‑agency response coordinated the rescue efforts.

probe (n.)

an investigation or inquiry調查；探查

Example:The AAIB launched a probe into the incident.

Sentence Learning

Despite the temporary blockage of Runway 28, airport authorities stated that overall operations remained unaffected and schedules for other flights were maintained.

Concessive Clause (Despite): This sentence uses a concessive clause introduced by 'Despite' to contrast the blockage with the continued smooth operation of the airport.讓步子句 (Despite): 此句使用以 'Despite' 為引導詞的讓步子句，將跑道被封閉與機場營運仍未受影響形成對比。

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has classified the event as a ''serious incident'' and has initiated a probe, which included the collection of fuel samples.

Relative Clause: The relative clause 'which included the collection of fuel samples' provides additional information about the probe.相對子句: 相對子句 'which included the collection of fuel samples' 為調查提供了額外資訊。

Swiss International Air Lines has established a dedicated task force and is deploying technical specialists to Delhi to assist the AAIB in determining the precise cause of the engine failure.

Infinitival Clause: The infinitival clause 'to assist the AAIB in determining the precise cause of the engine failure' functions as an adverbial purpose clause, indicating the reason for deploying specialists.不定詞短語: 不定詞短語 'to assist the AAIB in determining the precise cause of the engine failure' 作為目的狀語，說明派遣專家的原因。

According to official reports, the aircraft, commanded by Captain Guillermo Maximiliano Mulet, was accelerating at a speed between 104 and 106 knots when a malfunction in engine number one was detected.

Participial Phrase: The participial phrase 'commanded by Captain Guillermo Maximiliano Mulet' modifies 'the aircraft' and provides information about its commander.分詞短語: 分詞短語 'commanded by Captain Guillermo Maximiliano Mulet' 修飾 'the aircraft'，提供機長資訊。

While initial reports suggested six passengers were injured, the airline subsequently revised this figure to four.

Subordinate Clause (While): The subordinate clause introduced by 'While' presents a contrast between the initial reports and the revised figure.從屬子句 (While): 從屬子句 'While initial reports suggested six passengers were injured' 與後續修正數字形成對比。