New Delhi:
An Air India flight travelling from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi experienced severe turbulence and dropped approximately 300 feet in altitude on Tuesday, August 4, injuring 10 passengers and four crew members before landing safely at the capital.
What Happened
Flight AI2379, an Airbus A320 carrying 134 passengers, took off from Phuket around 8:25 a.m. and experienced the sudden altitude drop while airborne, according to flight-tracking data from Flightradar24. A Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) official said the pilot in command reported a severe injury to one cabin crew member, an injury to another, and minor injuries to a few passengers following the sudden loss of roughly 300 feet in altitude. One passenger recalled that the incident occurred early in the morning while most people on board were asleep, describing how the aircraft tilted and continued moving for two to three minutes before stabilising.
Landing and Medical Response
The aircraft landed safely at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport around 11 a.m. local time. Several passengers were seen with bandages and being assisted with wheelchairs for medical examination after landing. Air India said there were no serious injuries and that a small number of crew members with minor injuries were taken for precautionary medical assessment by the airline’s airport team, with some transported to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram and the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre in Vasant Kunj as a precaution.
Investigation Underway
An investigation into the cause of the turbulence-related incident is ongoing, with some local reports indicating minor damage to the aircraft.
Note: This report is based on statements from DGCA officials, Air India, and passenger accounts available at the time of publication. Injury figures may be updated as more information becomes available.
