15 Injured as Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight Hits Severe Turbulence, Loses 300 Feet Altitude

NEW DELHI, Aug 5: At least 15 people, including passengers and cabin crew, were injured after an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe mid-air turbulence and briefly lost around 300 feet in altitude on Tuesday, officials said. The Airbus A320 aircraft, operating flight AI2379 from Phuket to the national capital, landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport at around 11.30 am. There were 134 passengers and eight crew members on board. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incident. According to officials, 11 passengers and four cabin crew members sustained injuries during the turbulence. One cabin crew member suffered serious injuries, while another crew member and several passengers received minor injuries. All those injured were shifted to hospitals for medical evaluation and treatment. A senior DGCA official said the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of approximately 300 feet in altitude during the flight. “The Pilot-in-Command reported a severe injury to one cabin crew member, injuries to another crew member and minor injuries to a few passengers following a sudden loss of approximately 300 feet in altitude,” the official said. In a statement, Air India said the aircraft experienced a brief turbulence-related event during the cruise phase, resulting in a momentary change in altitude. “The aircraft landed safely in Delhi and all passengers and crew disembarked normally. There has been no report of serious injuries. A small number of passengers and crew members with minor injuries requiring medical assessment were taken to a medical facility at the airport for precautionary examination and care by Air India’s airport team and medical personnel,” the airline said. The airline said it is extending all necessary assistance to the affected passengers and crew and is fully cooperating with the DGCA’s investigation. While airlines routinely warn passengers and crew to remain seated and fasten seat belts during expected turbulence, incidents resulting in injuries are relatively uncommon. One of the most serious recent turbulence-related incidents occurred in May 2024, when a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence, resulting in one passenger’s death and multiple injuries. Earlier, in May 2022, a SpiceJet flight from Mumbai to Durgapur also experienced severe turbulence, leading to injuries among several passengers and crew.