An Air India aircraft arriving from Kochi had a narrow escape during landing at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on Monday morning, when it slipped off the rain-soaked runway. No injuries were reported among the passengers, though the plane sustained damage to its engine, and parts of the runway were also affected.

Images obtained by NDTV revealed grass lodged in the rear section of the aircraft and visible damage to the nacelle — the outer casing of the right engine. Experts say the nacelle likely scraped the tarmac or grassy edge during what aviation authorities classify as a "runway excursion." The lodged grass suggests a substantial impact.

Sources from the aviation sector indicated that the jet swerved to the side after landing, with one wheel entering the grassy perimeter. In the process, the aircraft broke three signage boards and four edge lights lining the runway.

Following the incident, Air India grounded the aircraft for inspection and removed the two pilots from duty pending an internal investigation.

In a statement, Mumbai Airport confirmed the occurrence, saying the event took place at 9:27 AM on July 21. Emergency teams were promptly deployed to manage the situation. “All passengers and crew are safe,” the airport said.

Minor damage was reported to Runway 09/27 — Mumbai’s primary landing strip. To maintain operations, the airport activated its secondary runway, 14/32. Officials said safety remains the airport's top concern.

This event unfolds amid heightened scrutiny from India’s civil aviation regulator, the DGCA, which has been re-evaluating airline safety protocols. This follows the deadly crash of AI 171 in Ahmedabad last month, which resulted in over 250 fatalities.

Meanwhile, Mumbai continues to be battered by relentless rains, affecting transportation and flight operations. The airport issued a public advisory, urging travelers to check flight statuses with airlines and allow extra time to reach terminals due to possible traffic delays.

The ongoing rainstorm has left several areas waterlogged, adding to the city’s operational challenges.