SWISS Airbus A330 aborts Delhi takeoff after engine fire, 245 evacuate with injuries

SWISS International Air Lines flight LX147 aborted takeoff at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport early Sunday morning after an engine failure with smoke and possible fire during the takeoff roll at 106 knots. All 232 passengers and 13 crew evacuated via emergency slides. Several passengers sustained injuries during the evacuation, with latest reports indicating 5-6 people treated at hospitals and reported stable. The Airbus A330-300 (registration HB-JHK) remains grounded as India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and SWISS technical teams investigate.

Video footage from the evacuation shows passengers carrying roller bags, backpacks, and mobile phones down emergency slides — behavior that aviation safety experts say can turn survivable incidents into tragedies. Runway 28 at Delhi closed temporarily, causing delays and diversions across India’s busiest airport.

Rejected takeoff triggers full emergency evacuation

The incident occurred at 1:27 a.m. local time on April 26, 2026, as SWISS flight SWR146 accelerated down Runway 28 for departure to Zurich. Pilots rejected the takeoff before reaching V1 decision speed — the point beyond which stopping becomes impossible — after observing smoke and flames from an engine.

The crew reported possible fire, prompting an immediate full evacuation order. Emergency slides deployed on both sides of the aircraft. Passengers evacuated onto the active runway as airport fire crews responded.

Pilots rejected takeoff before V1 speed as per protocol. The Airbus A330-300 involved had been operating scheduled transatlantic service as recently as earlier this month, according to flight tracking data.

Runway 28 closed temporarily, causing delays and diversions for arriving flights. Operations resumed within hours, though the grounded SWISS aircraft reduced the airline’s Delhi-Zurich capacity by 14% short-term — one of seven weekly frequencies affected.

The DGCA and SWISS technical teams launched an investigation under ICAO Annex 13 protocols, with an initial report due within 24 hours. The probe will examine engine maintenance records, crew decision-making, and evacuation procedures.

For travelers with imminent Delhi departures, verify flight status via SWISS flight status or the Delhi airport app. Add a 3–4 hour connection buffer for Delhi transit this week.

Passengers carried bags and filmed during emergency evacuation

Video footage circulating on social media shows passengers descending emergency slides with roller bags, backpacks, and mobile phones in hand. Some travelers filmed the evacuation on their devices while others struggled to exit behind them.

Aviation safety protocols require passengers to leave all belongings behind during evacuations — bags can puncture slides, block aisles, and delay others from escaping. Every second matters when fire or smoke is present.

The behavior is not unique to this incident. Evacuations in recent years — from Japan Airlines at Tokyo Haneda to Asiana Airlines at Seoul Incheon — have documented similar patterns of passengers prioritizing possessions over speed.

Regulators have struggled to enforce the “leave bags behind” rule. Locking overhead bins would likely slow evacuations further as passengers attempt to force them open. Fines and criminal penalties have been proposed but rarely implemented.

One bright spot: video also captured a SWISS flight attendant assisting an injured elderly passenger on the tarmac after evacuation — professionalism under pressure.

What to do if you have a Delhi booking

The grounded aircraft and ongoing investigation create short-term schedule uncertainty for SWISS Delhi-Zurich service — here is the priority order for protecting your trip.

• Verify flight status 24 hours before departure at swiss.com/flight-status or via the SWISS app. The airline may substitute aircraft or adjust departure times during the investigation.
• Call SWISS India hotline at +91 124 462 9192 if your flight shows delays over 2 hours. Request rebooking on the next available service or partner airline via Star Alliance.
• Monitor DGCA notices at dgca.gov.in for investigation updates that could affect Delhi operations. The final report is expected within 30 days.
• Add a 3-hour buffer for Delhi departures this week — residual delays from the runway closure may ripple through afternoon and evening banks.
• Consider alternate routings via Air India (10 weekly Delhi-Zurich frequencies on Boeing 787-8) if SWISS shows persistent delays. Star Alliance codeshare allows ticket reissue without penalty in irregular operations.

Watch: DGCA’s final investigation report in 30 days will reveal whether engine fault stemmed from maintenance lapse — if confirmed, expect brief Airbus A330 fleet checks and potential short-term frequency cuts on SWISS Delhi-Zurich.