A SpiceJet Boeing 737-700 and an Akasa Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 were damaged in a ground contact incident at Delhi-Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL/VIDP) on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
The incident occurred at around 08:45 UTC and involved SpiceJet flight SG124, a Boeing 737-7GL (WL) registered VT-SLB, and Akasa Air flight QP1406, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 registered VT-YBA.
SpiceJet flight SG124 had arrived from Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe Airport (IXL/VILH) and was taxiing toward its allocated parking position at Stand 106 at Terminal 1. During the taxi-in, the aircraft’s right-hand winglet struck the left-hand horizontal stabilizer of the Akasa Air Boeing 737 MAX 8.
The Akasa aircraft was positioned on the apron after pushback from Stand 104 for a scheduled Delhi–Hyderabad service to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD/VOHS).
According to the reported narrative, the top section of the SpiceJet aircraft’s winglet separated and remained embedded in the horizontal stabilizer of the Akasa Air aircraft.
No fatalities or injuries were reported. Both aircraft sustained minor damage, but the incident required a technical inspection and regulatory review before they could return to service.
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation opened an inquiry into the incident. Investigators are expected to examine taxi procedures, apron positioning, stand allocation, and ground movement coordination, and to determine whether spacing or communication issues contributed to the collision.
Images: WION, The Hindu