The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a detailed investigation into the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight that suffered a sudden mid-air altitude variation, leaving 17 people injured,
including four cabin crew members, even as the aircraft landed safely at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Air India flight AI2379, operated by an Airbus A320neo (registration VT-EXO), experienced a momentary altitude deviation before stabilising and completing the journey safely.
“The DGCA has initiated a detailed investigation into the occurrence. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA are closely monitoring the situation,” the ministry said.
As part of the probe, investigators secured the aircraft’s Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), while the aircraft was moved to the hangar for further examination.
The ministry reiterated that passenger safety remains its highest priority and that all necessary measures were being taken.
Air India Plane Lost Around 300 Feet Mid-Air
According to a senior DGCA official quoted by the news agency PTI, the Airbus A320neo experienced a sudden loss of altitude of approximately 300 feet while cruising.
“Air India A320 aircraft VT-EXO operating flight AI2379 (Phuket-Delhi) experienced loss of approximately 300 feet in altitude during the flight,” the official said.
The Pilot-in-Command reported that one cabin crew member suffered severe injuries, another crew member sustained injuries, and several passengers received minor injuries following the sudden altitude loss.
The aircraft was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, along with eight crew members comprising two pilots and six cabin crew.
Earlier in the day, Air India had described the incident as a “brief in-flight turbulence-related event during cruise”, resulting in a momentary change in altitude.
17 Injured On Air India Plane, Some Still Under Treatment
In its latest update, Air India said 13 passengers and four cabin crew members sustained injuries and were taken to hospitals for medical evaluation after the aircraft landed in Delhi.
“As of 18:50 hrs on August 4, five passengers have been discharged, while the remaining individuals continue to receive treatment and care,” the airline said.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation, however, said eight passengers and four cabin crew members were admitted to hospitals for detailed medical evaluation and treatment, while the remaining passengers were provided necessary assistance and support.
It added that all admitted passengers and crew members are stable and receiving adequate medical care.
Immediately after landing, medical teams attended to all passengers and crew as a precautionary measure.
Civil Aviation Minister Visits Injured Passengers
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, accompanied by Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha and DGCA Director General Vir Vikram Yadav, visited Fortis Hospital in Delhi to enquire about the condition of the injured passengers and assure them of all necessary assistance.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation also visited Fortis and Medanta hospitals and are coordinating with hospital authorities and Air India to ensure continued treatment and support for those undergoing medical care.
Air India Says It Is Cooperating With Probe
Air India said it has informed all relevant regulatory authorities in accordance with established safety procedures and has also notified the aircraft manufacturer about the incident.
“We will continue to support those affected and their families and will work closely with the relevant authorities throughout the course of the investigation,” the airline said, adding that its teams remain at hospitals and are in close contact with the injured passengers, crew members and their families.
Turbulence Injuries Are Rare
While pilots routinely alert passengers about possible turbulence, incidents leading to injuries among passengers and cabin crew remain uncommon.
The AI2379 incident is among the more serious turbulence-related events involving an Indian carrier in recent years.
In May 2024, a Singapore Airlines flight travelling from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence, resulting in the death of one passenger due to a suspected heart attack and injuries to several others.
Earlier, on May 1, 2022, a SpiceJet flight from Mumbai to Durgapur experienced severe turbulence that left multiple passengers injured and resulted in one passenger’s death.
