IndiGo A321neo Grounded After Tail Strike During Landing At Gorakhpur Airport

An IndiGo Airbus A321neo aircraft encountered a tail strike during its landing approach in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, forcing the plane to be grounded at the airport. The flight, number 6E 2381, was on its way from Delhi to Gorakhpur. The aircraft, bearing registration VT-ILR, was delivered to IndiGo in August 2021. Post the incident, the flight executed a go-around maneuver for safety reasons before safely returning and landing at Gorakhpur airport.

All passengers and crew members disembarked without any issues, as per IndiGo's statement reported by Times of India. Upon a routine post-flight inspection, scratches were noted on the APU inlet. The APU, a small turbine engine, typically supplies electrical power when the main engines are off, provides pneumatic air for engine startup, and can offer cabin air-conditioning and other crucial systems.

However, it's important to note that the APU is not designed to function optimally in Indian conditions. IndiGo's Airbus A321neo seems to be struggling to adapt to these conditions, as a passenger complained about the inability to charge their phone. The grounded aircraft is currently undergoing necessary maintenance and will resume operations once it receives the requisite technical and regulatory clearance.