At 1:05 a.m. Local time on April 26, a Swiss International Air Lines Airbus A330-300 aborted takeoff from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after a loud bang and visible sparks from one engine, triggering an emergency evacuation that left four passengers hospitalized and a flight attendant with a sprained ankle.
The aircraft, registered HB-JHK and operating flight LX147 to Zurich, had begun its roll when the crew rejected the takeoff following what Swiss described as a technical issue with one of the two Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines. Passengers reported seeing flames and sparks outside their windows, and evacuation slides were deployed as the plane came to a stop on the runway. Swiss confirmed that 228 passengers, four infants, and 13 crew members were aboard the 14-year-old jet, which has flown exclusively for the airline since its delivery.
Initial reports from Swiss suggested six people were under medical observation, but the airline later clarified that only four passengers required hospitalization, with the other two being uninjured companions. One flight attendant sustained a sprained ankle during the evacuation, while the remainder of the crew were unharmed. Swiss emphasized that passengers who could not use the slides were assisted via stairs, and all were subsequently accommodated in local hotels and rebooked on alternative flights.
The airline has launched an internal investigation and dispatched a technical team to Delhi to examine the aircraft, working alongside Indian aviation authorities. Swiss stated it aims to determine whether the incident stemmed from mechanical failure, foreign object damage, or another anomaly in the engine system. No fire was reported after the aircraft stopped, and emergency services responded swiftly to the scene.
This marks the first major incident involving a Swiss long-haul aircraft since the 2018 engine failure on an Airbus A340-300 over the Atlantic, which as well prompted a precautionary diversion and subsequent inspection of the fleet’s Trent 500 engines. While that event did not require evacuation, both cases underscore the sensitivity of turbofan performance during high-stress phases of flight.
Swiss has not disclosed whether the aircraft will return to service immediately, noting that airworthiness decisions will depend on the findings of the ongoing inspection. The airline reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and said it would support affected travelers beyond the immediate aftermath, including psychological assistance if needed.
Indigenous ground crews at Delhi airport assisted with the evacuation and passenger transfer, while Swiss’s crisis coordination team maintained communication with families and embassies. No official cause has been issued, and the airline declined to speculate on whether bird strike, maintenance oversight, or manufacturing defect played a role.
How many people were injured in the evacuation?
Four passengers were hospitalized following the evacuation, with one flight attendant sustaining a sprained ankle. Two additional individuals initially thought to be injured were later identified as uninjured companions.
What is Swiss doing to investigate the cause?
Swiss has dispatched a team of technical specialists to Delhi to inspect the aircraft and is collaborating with Indian authorities to determine whether the engine issue resulted from mechanical failure, foreign object damage, or another factor.
