Air India Turbulence: India’s aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has launched an in-depth investigation into a mid-air incident involving an Air India international flight.
According to media reports, flight AI2379, operating from Phuket to Delhi, experienced a sudden drop in altitude of approximately 300 feet after encountering severe turbulence while cruising over eastern India.
The unexpected plunge resulted in injuries to 17 individuals on board, including 13 passengers and four cabin crew members.
Despite the severe mid-air scare, the aircraft landed safely at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), where emergency medical personnel and ground teams were stationed to render immediate assistance.
Air India Flight AI2379 Incident Timeline and Details
What happened in the Air India flight? As per news reports, the Airbus A320 aircraft (registration VT-EXO) was carrying 137 passengers including three infants alongside an eight-member crew comprising two pilots and six cabin attendants.
The aircraft was flying at its designated cruising altitude of nearly 36,000 feet when it abruptly struck a severe patch of turbulence. The violent atmospheric disturbance caused the aircraft to temporarily lose around 300 feet of altitude before the flight crew successfully stabilized the plane.
Following its safe arrival in the national capital, the aircraft was removed from service and placed in a hangar for comprehensive technical evaluations.
Passengers Recall Moments of Panic Mid-Air
Air India Turbulence: Travelers aboard the flight described a chaotic and distressing experience as the aircraft plunged without prior warning. Unbuckled passengers and loose personal belongings were momentarily hurled into the air when the plane dropped.
According to media statements, Viviana, an Italian passenger traveling with her family, recounted the ordeal to news agencies:
“The aircraft seemed to be moving normally, but suddenly the turbulence began. I saw my sister thrown up into the air from her seat, and my mother was knocked on her head.
People sitting behind us suffered injuries, and a male passenger had blood on his face. We thought we would die. It was really scary.”
Visuals from Indira Gandhi International Airport following touchdown showed injured passengers being moved on stretchers and transported to ambulances for urgent medical care.
Medical Response and Union Minister’s Visit
Injured individuals were immediately taken to nearby healthcare facilities, including Medanta Hospital and Fortis Hospital, for specialized treatment. While most sustained minor injuries, reports indicate that one cabin crew member suffered serious injuries during the turbulence event.
Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu personally visited the hospitalized passengers and crew members in Delhi to review their condition, promising complete logistical and medical support from the ministry.
An Air India spokesperson described the event as a “brief in-flight turbulence-related event during cruise, resulting in a momentary change in altitude.” The airline confirmed that dedicated teams remain deployed at healthcare facilities to assist affected passengers and their families.
DGCA Investigation and Black Box Recovery
Air India Turbulence: The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that key flight recording devices the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), commonly known as black boxes have been recovered intact.
According to media reports, technical teams from the DGCA are currently analyzing the flight data to piece together the exact sequence of events.
The probe will inspect multiple potential factors, including clear-air turbulence (CAT), localized weather anomalies, flight control responses, and any potential mechanical or systems issues that may have played a role during the sudden loss of altitude.
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