0 months ago
Air India Phuket-Delhi turbulence injures 17; DGCA probes altitude drop
An Air India airplane was flying from Phuket, a city in Thailand, to Delhi, the capital of India.
During the trip, the plane suddenly shook very hard and dropped about 300 feet in just two seconds.
The drop happened so fast that some people who were not wearing seatbelts were thrown into the air and even hit the ceiling.
Thirteen passengers and four crew members got hurt and were taken to hospitals in Delhi.
By the next day, all the hurt passengers had been sent home, but four crew members were still getting treatment.
The plane landed safely in Delhi even though part of the cabin ceiling was damaged.
The government aviation office, called the DGCA, is investigating what happened and is checking the plane's recorders, which capture flight data and cockpit sounds.
Investigators are also looking at weather reports to see if the plane ran into dangerous air that pilots could not see.
Some passengers are upset and say they may take the airline to court.
The airline says it will keep helping everyone affected and is working with the investigators.
Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi hit severe turbulence over Odisha, losing about 300 feet of altitude in roughly two seconds and injuring 17 people.
All 13 injured passengers had been discharged from hospital by 15:30 on August 5, while four crew members remained under medical care.
The DGCA launched a detailed investigation, secured the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, and grounded the aircraft in Delhi for structural inspection after cabin ceiling damage was reported.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu visited injured passengers at Fortis Hospital, while some passengers said they plan to sue Air India for negligence.
The flight carried 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members; some reports cite 134 passengers and around 15 injured, and the plane landed safely in Delhi around 11 am.
- Who
- Passengers and crew aboard Air India flight AI2379 — 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members — with 13 passengers and four crew members injured; officials from the DGCA and Ministry of Civil Aviation, including Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, are investigating and supporting those affected.
- What
- The flight encountered severe turbulence over Odisha, suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude, injured 17 people, and is now the subject of a DGCA investigation.
- Where
- Over Odisha, India, during cruise on the Phuket-to-Delhi route; the aircraft landed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.
- When
- Tuesday, August 4, 2026: turbulence struck around 9:36 am after takeoff from Phuket at 8:41 am, with the aircraft landing safely in Delhi around 11:07 am.
- Why
- A sudden loss of altitude apparently caused by severe clear-air turbulence or monsoon-related air movements; the exact cause is under investigation by the DGCA.
Passengers
Air India
Legal action over negligence
Passengers
Some passengers say they will sue Air India for negligence, describing people being thrown into the cabin ceiling, an infant tossed about three seats away, and luggage falling on passengers' heads during the sudden drop.
Air India
Air India says it followed established safety procedures, landed the aircraft safely, assisted everyone affected, and is fully cooperating with the investigation, insisting that safety remains its highest priority.
Cause of the incident
Passengers
Passengers describe a terrifying, rapid descent that hurled people into the ceiling, with some attributing it to an 'air pocket' and saying they now fear flying.
Air India
Air India called it a brief turbulence-related event during cruise; the DGCA and Ministry of Civil Aviation are examining flight recorders and meteorological reports to determine whether unforecasted clear-air turbulence or monsoon-related disturbances were responsible.
Key facts
- Flight
- AI2379 (Phuket to Delhi)
- Aircraft
- Airbus A320neo, registration VT-EXO
- Passengers and crew
- 137 passengers (including 3 infants) and 8 crew members; one report cites 134 passengers
- Altitude drop
- About 300 feet over roughly two seconds during cruise
- Injuries
- 13 passengers and 4 crew members injured (17 total), one crew member seriously; one report says around 15 injured
- Incident time and location
- About 9:36 am on August 4, 2026, over Odisha, India
- Status
- All 13 passengers discharged as of August 5; 4 crew members still receiving treatment
- Investigating agency
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA); flight data and cockpit voice recorders secured
Quotes
Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu
Minister of Civil Aviation of India
“"Air India teams remain present at the hospitals and are in close contact with those affected, providing all necessary assistance and support. The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew remain Air India's foremost priority. We will continue to support those affected and their families, and will work closely with the relevant authorities as the investigation progresses."”
freepressjournal.in
news18.com
telegraphindia.com
“"Some people hit the ceiling and then fell to the floor while luggage fell on some of our heads. An infant was thrown about three seats away from the person holding him. I don't think I will be able to travel in an aircraft without being afraid of the horrors of this flight. My brothers and I, who were traveling on this flight, will sue Air India for their negligence."”
freepressjournal.in
Viviana
Passenger, 30s, Italian
“"I saw my sister being thrown into the air from her seat. My mother was knocked on the head. My phone was also thrown and I could find it only after we landed. Other passengers behind me were severely injured, one of them was severely bleeding. It feels like I saw death and that nobody would survive it."”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
All 13 Passengers Discharged After Being Injured Due To Severe Turbulence On Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight, Four Crew Members Still Under Treatment
Close shave: AI flight plunges 300 feet, 15 injured
DGCA Launches Detailed Probe Over Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight's Mid-Air Altitude Drop; 17 Injured
Air India turbulence injures 17 on Phuket Delhi flight as aviation probe begins - Telegraph India
DGCA Initiates Investigation After Severe Turbulence Hits Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight Leaving Around 15 Passengers & Crew, Damaged Cabin
Air India Phuket flight turbulence: All 13 injured passengers discharged, 4 crew still in hospital
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