NEW DELHI – A potentially major aviation incident was narrowly avoided at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Saturday afternoon when a tow truck burst into flames during a routine aircraft pushback.
The incident occurred on March 14th as an Etihad Airways Boeing 777-300ER was being prepared for departure. Witnesses reported seeing thick black smoke and orange flames erupting from the engine compartment of the “pushback tug”—the heavy vehicle responsible for moving the massive aircraft from the gate to the taxiway.
The fire broke out directly beneath the nose of the Boeing 777, placing the aircraft and its passengers in immediate proximity to the blaze. Airport officials confirmed that the fire originated within the tow truck’s mechanical systems and was not related to the aircraft itself.
The Etihad aircraft was eventually towed back to a stand for a thorough safety inspection. There were no reported injuries among the passengers, flight crew, or ground staff. Operations at IGI Airport resumed their normal schedule shortly after the site was cleared.
