Key Highlights
- Incident Details: Swiss Air flight LX147 suffered a severe engine malfunction and subsequent fire during its takeoff roll.
- Casualties: Six passengers sustained injuries during the emergency slide evacuation and are currently hospitalized.
- Onboard Count: The Airbus A330 was carrying 232 passengers and 4 infants.
- Emergency Response: Airport officials declared a “full emergency,” though general airport operations were maintained.
- Investigation: Swiss Air has established a dedicated task force to determine the cause of the technical failure.
A potential aviation catastrophe was narrowly avoided at Indira Gandhi International Airport on the morning of April 26, 2026. Swiss Air flight SWR146, a scheduled service to Zurich, was forced to abort its departure at high speed following a critical engine failure and a resulting fire on the runway.
Fire on the Takeoff Roll
The incident occurred as the Airbus A330, registration HB, JHK, was accelerating for takeoff on Runway 28/10. According to eyewitness accounts and technical logs, the aircraft was in its takeoff roll shortly after 1:00 AM IST when a malfunction occurred in one of the engines. Thick smoke was observed billowing from the left side of the fuselage, while a fire was reported near the landing gear on the right side.
The flight crew responded with immediate precision, aborting the takeoff and bringing the heavy aircraft to a controlled halt. Given the reports of fire, the pilot in command initiated a precautionary emergency evacuation to ensure the safety of the 232 people on board.
Swiss' HB-JHK, Operating Delhi – Zurich as LX147, Suffered a Engine Number 1 Failure on the Take-Off Roll.
— AviationAll (@AviationAll_) April 26, 2026
Emergency Slides were then deployed, and the Aircraft was Evacuated on the Runway as a Precaution. pic.twitter.com/2d5pDqzVox
Evacuation and Injuries
The evacuation process used the aircraft’s emergency slides, which enabled a rapid exit but exacted a physical toll. While the majority of the passengers were evacuated safely, six individuals sustained injuries during the descent and were promptly admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment. For those unable to use the slides, ground crews eventually provided stairs once the fire was suppressed by airport rescue and firefighting teams.
Delhi Airport officials confirmed that a “full emergency” was declared the moment the fire was reported. In an official statement, the airport noted that all prescribed safety protocols were implemented immediately, ensuring that while the specific runway was temporarily closed for clearing, broader airport operations remained unaffected.
Official Inquiry and Next Steps
Swiss Air has issued a formal statement confirming that the flight, also designated as LX147, was carrying 228 adult passengers and four infants at the time of the failure. The airline emphasized that the safety of its passengers and crew is its highest priority and confirmed that the flight crew emerged from the incident unharmed.
A specialized task force has been formed by the airline to investigate the technical roots of the engine failure. Preliminary focus is expected to center on the engine’s maintenance history and potential bird strike or mechanical fatigue. Passengers from the cancelled flight are being provided with alternative travel arrangements and hotel accommodations as the investigation into the HB, JHK airframe continues.
