An Air India Airbus A320neo operating flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe turbulence and a sudden altitude loss on August 4, injuring 17 people, including passengers and crew. The aircraft landed safely in Delhi, while the DGCA launched a formal investigation by securing the flight data and cockpit voice recorders to determine the cause of the incident.
17 Injured After Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight Suffers Sudden Altitude Drop
Severe mid-air turbulence struck an Air India Airbus A320neo flying from Phuket to Delhi on August 4, injuring 17 people. The aircraft landed safely in Delhi even as aviation authorities launched a detailed probe into the incident.
Air India Phuket-Delhi flight: 17 injured as airline’s Airbus A320neo hit turbulence and sudden change in altitude during its flight from Phuket to Delhi on August 4. The plane landed safely, and authorities quickly launched a formal investigation and medical assistance.
Air India said flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi experienced a brief turbulence-related event during cruise which resulted in a loss of altitude. The airline said the plane was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants and eight crew members.
The airline said all passengers and crew were safely off the plane after it landed in Delhi at 11:07 am IST. There were no reports of life-threatening injuries, but several people needed medical evaluation after the incident, it said.
Air India confirms injuries after sudden altitude loss
Air India said 13 passengers and four crew members were injured in the turbulence. Those who required medical attention were taken to the airport’s medical facilities before being transferred to hospitals for further observation and treatment as needed.
Later in the evening, the airline released an updated statement saying five passengers had already been released from the hospital. The other injured were still under medical treatment and Air India teams were in constant touch with the hospitals providing help and support.
The airline said the aircraft was operating normally till its scheduled arrival in Delhi after a "momentary" change of altitude. Air India said passenger safety remains the top priority in the operation that is underway.
Passengers on board said it was terrifying. One traveller said there was a sudden dip in altitude and several occupants lost their balance. The sudden movement caused injuries to people who hit the overhead of the aircraft, the passenger said.
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DGCA secures flight recorders as investigation begins
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken up a detailed investigation into the incident, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said. Officials said investigators will review every operational and technical aspect related to the turbulence event.
The ministry said the aircraft had been moved to a hangar and the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) had been secured for a full examination. The recordings are believed to assist investigators in piecing together what happened.
The ministry also confirmed that Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu himself had visited Fortis Hospital with the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, and Director General of the DGCA Faiz Ahmed Kidwai to inquire about the condition of injured passengers.
Senior Ministry officials also visited Fortis Hospital and Medanta Hospital and worked with hospital authorities and Air India officials to ensure that affected passengers are provided with proper medical care and are accorded all possible assistance during treatment.
Investigation expected to focus on flight safety measures
The investigation is expected to look at weather conditions, aircraft performance, cockpit data and operational procedures to determine why the Phuket-Delhi service suddenly lost altitude.
Air India has not reported any mechanical failure and said the aircraft had completed the rest of the flight without further operational issues. Also, there has been no speculation by the authorities as the technical examination is still continuing.
The investigation is ongoing, and the results are expected to be reviewed by aviation regulators to determine whether further safety recommendations or operational measures are needed. Sprouts News will keep an eye on official updates as they come in. Air India and the DGCA continue to support the affected passengers and investigate the incident.
