Hyderabad: Metal panel breaks off from RGIA aerobridge ceiling; hits passenger, injured
The injured passenger, Deepak Adoni, a US citizen who had arrived from Bengaluru on an Air India Express flight, said the incident occurred moments after he began exiting the aircraft
By Newsmeter Network
Hyderabad: A 63-year-old passenger sustained injuries after he was hit by a large metal panel that broke off from an aerobridge ceiling at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) on Sunday afternoon.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over passenger safety and infrastructure maintenance at the airport.
Incident during disembarkation
The injured passenger, Deepak Adoni, a US citizen who had arrived from Bengaluru on an Air India Express flight, said the incident occurred moments after he began exiting the aircraft.
“I had taken a few steps when the heavy panel suddenly fell on my head. I held on to the railing to steady myself, not knowing what hit me,” he recalled.
The aluminium panel, estimated to be 7–8 feet long and about 2 feet wide, reportedly got dislodged from the aerobridge ceiling. The exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined.
Delayed response and immediate help
Adoni said a co-passenger, Zainab Sayed, rushed to his aid and alerted authorities as he leaned against the aerobridge wall in a dazed state.
Despite the urgency, medical assistance reportedly arrived only after about 30 minutes, following which he was shifted to Apollo Hospital by ambulance.
Medical condition and treatment
At the hospital, doctors conducted a CT scan and an MRI. The medical report indicated “severe degenerative changes” in the cervical spine, `multilevel disc bulges', and `trivial head trauma'.
It remains unclear whether the spinal issues were pre-existing or triggered by the impact.
Adoni said his condition worsened shortly after the incident. “Within 30 minutes, I felt dizzy, started stuttering, and could not even remember my name during admission,” he said.
Doctors advised him to wear a neck brace and prescribed medication for pain management before discharging him on Monday.
Passenger’s ordeal and support
Describing his ordeal, Adoni said he was unable to stand on his own and experienced severe dizziness. “At one point, the entire room started spinning,” he said.
He also praised Zainab Sayed for her assistance. “She travelled with me in the ambulance and even spoke to my wife in the US. An amazing human being,” he added.
Airport Authority response
Airport authorities expressed regret over the incident, calling it an “isolated instance”.
In an official statement, they said the passenger sustained “no acute or significant injuries” and was promptly attended to by emergency teams.
“Maintenance teams have conducted a comprehensive safety inspection of aerobridge ceiling panels to prevent such occurrences in the future. We remain committed to maintaining high standards of safety,” the statement said.
Possible legal action
Adoni, originally from Telangana and settled in the United States for over four decades, said he will delay his return and monitor his health condition.
He also indicated that he is considering legal action against the airport operator, GMR, depending on his recovery and further medical evaluation.
Safety concerns raised
The incident has sparked concerns about maintenance standards at one of India’s busiest airports, especially in high-traffic passenger zones like aerobridges.
Authorities are yet to clarify what led to the panel’s dislodgement.
