A US-based traveler suffered a frightening injury when a large metal panel dislodged from the ceiling of an aerobridge and struck him on the head at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here. Deepak Adoni, a 63-year-old from Telangana now living in the United States, was among the first to deboard an Air India Express flight from Bengaluru on Sunday afternoon. As he walked through the aerobridge, the aluminum slab—roughly 7-8 feet long and 2 feet wide—suddenly collapsed, hitting him directly. Adoni grabbed the railing to steady himself but soon felt dizzy, unsteady, and struggled to remember his name or speak clearly without stuttering.

Eyewitness Zainab Sayed, another passenger, rushed to his aid, alerting airport staff. Adoni, leaning against the wall for support, was quickly taken by ambulance to Apollo Hospital. Medical checks showed cervical spine strain and minor head trauma, but no fractures. Doctors fitted him with a neck brace, provided pain relief, and discharged him after observation.

Airport operator GMR expressed regret and confirmed immediate inspections of all aerobridge ceilings across the terminal. "Passenger safety remains our utmost priority. We have conducted thorough checks to prevent any recurrence," officials said. Adoni, still recovering, intends to monitor his health while in India and may consider legal action.

This incident echoes past mishaps at the airport, including a 2010 tragedy where an airline staffer died from shock after her arm was trapped in a retracting aerobridge. Aviation experts highlight the need for regular maintenance on these high-stress structures, which face daily wear from aircraft movements and environmental factors. With India's air travel surging—over 150 million passengers last year—such events underscore the push for advanced monitoring tech like vibration sensors in airport infrastructure. Authorities urge travelers to stay vigilant in aerobridges and report concerns promptly.