Wheel Of Lufthansa Flight, With 490 Passengers, Catches Fire During Landing In Delhi: Report

In a dramatic event at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, a Lufthansa aircraft carrying 490 passengers experienced a fire in one of its landing gear wheels during touchdown. The incident occurred in the evening hours of June 10, 2025, and immediately triggered a swift response from airport services and concern among passengers. Fortunately, thanks to the quick actions of the flight crew and ground staff, no one was injured.

According to preliminary reports, the Airbus A380 operating flight LH760 from Frankfurt to Delhi was approaching for landing around 7:20 PM local time. Weather conditions were good, and visibility was clear. However, shortly after touchdown, smoke was observed coming from one of the rear landing gear wheels.

An official statement from the airport authorities said that the fire department was immediately alerted and began extinguishing the fire. The blaze was brought under control within minutes, and all passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft. No injuries were reported, although some passengers experienced anxiety and shortness of breath due to stress.

“We’re all safe, but it was really terrifying,” says passenger

One passenger, 34-year-old Anjali Mehta, who was traveling with her family, described the landing as “the scariest moment of her life.” In an interview with local media, she said: “Everything seemed normal, but when we touched down, I suddenly felt vibrations and then saw smoke through the window. People started screaming, although the crew tried to calm us down. Luckily, it all ended well.”

Other passengers reported similar experiences. Many praised the professionalism of the flight crew, who reacted quickly, ensured safety, and coordinated the evacuation according to procedure.

What could have caused the tire fire?

Aviation experts analyzing the incident point to several possible causes of the tire catching fire upon landing. One possibility is overheated brakes, which combined with the high temperature of the runway surface, could have led to spontaneous ignition. Another possibility is a hydraulic failure or fuel leak, though these hypotheses have not yet been confirmed.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India has launched an investigation, and the aircraft has been temporarily grounded for a thorough technical inspection.

A DGCA spokesperson stated: “Passenger safety is our top priority. We have initiated a detailed investigation to determine the cause of this incident. At this stage, no possibility is being ruled out.”

Lufthansa’s Response

Lufthansa confirmed the incident and stated that they are fully cooperating with Indian aviation authorities. In a statement published on their official social media account, the airline wrote:

“On June 10, 2025, during the landing of our Airbus A380 operating flight LH760 from Frankfurt to Delhi, one of the landing gear wheels experienced localized overheating. Safety systems functioned properly. The fire brigade was alerted as per protocol. All passengers were safely brought to the ground. We thank our passengers and staff for their understanding and cooperation.”

Delays and Operational Consequences

Due to the incident, the runway where the landing occurred was temporarily closed during firefighting operations and the subsequent inspection. This led to delays in air traffic, with several domestic and international flights either canceled or diverted.

Delhi airport authorities apologized for the inconvenience and took steps to minimize further disruptions. “Aviation safety is our absolute priority – which is why we had to proceed with appropriate caution,” said the airport’s Chief Operating Officer.

Experts: “A reminder of the complexity of aviation operations”

Though the situation ended safely, many experts emphasized that the incident is a reminder of how many variables influence aviation safety.

Dr. Rajiv Menon, an aviation safety expert and former military pilot, commented: “Flying remains the safest mode of transportation, but incidents like this show that vigilance must never be lost. Even minor technical anomalies can have serious consequences if not detected and addressed promptly.”

Dr. Menon also noted that aircraft like the Airbus A380 are equipped with advanced technical monitoring systems and the latest safety technologies. These enable quick identification of problems and appropriate responses.