At least 17 people, including four cabin crew members, were injured after Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to New Delhi encountered severe turbulence during its journey on Tuesday morning, briefly losing around 300 feet in altitude before landing safely at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The Airbus A320 was carrying 134 passengers and eight crew members when the turbulence struck during the cruise phase, throwing several unrestrained passengers and cabin crew into the air. One cabin crew member reportedly sustained serious injuries, while the remaining injuries were described as minor.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incident and is examining weather conditions, cockpit voice recordings, flight data, and crew actions to determine the cause of the sudden altitude loss.
Air India said the aircraft experienced a “brief in-flight turbulence-related event”, landed safely, and that affected passengers received immediate medical assistance. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu later visited injured passengers in hospital, while Air India said it was extending full support and cooperating with investigators.
Passengers Recall Mid-Air Horror
The sudden turbulence turned what had been a routine flight into a frightening ordeal for passengers, many of whom described the experience as one they would never forget. According to DGCA officials, the aircraft experienced a rapid loss of approximately 300 feet in altitude during cruise, causing violent vertical movement inside the cabin. Because the seat belt sign was reportedly not illuminated at the time, several passengers and cabin crew members were not strapped in when the aircraft jolted.
Among those injured was the family of a passenger who recounted that his father, seated in the aisle while having coffee, was thrown into the ceiling before crashing onto the cabin floor. “My father was sitting on the aisle seat and was having coffee.
He was not wearing a seat belt as there was no mandatory light for it. Suddenly, a big jolt happened, and he flew and hit the roof and fell on the floor,” he said. He added that his mother struck her head on the overhead compartment, while his wife and two-year-old daughter were thrown into the aisle, with the child suffering a head injury and swelling. Reflecting on the incident, he said, “It was a rebirth for all of us,” while praising the pilots and cabin crew for remaining calm and helping reassure frightened passengers.
Another passenger, Viviana, an Italian national travelling with her family, described scenes of panic inside the aircraft. “The aircraft seemed to be moving normally, but suddenly the turbulence began. I saw my sister being thrown into the air from her seat.
My mother was hit on the head. My phone fell away,” she said. She recalled seeing another passenger bleeding from the face and admitted that many onboard feared the worst. “We thought we would die. It was really scary. I was shaking and crying. It was horrible. I cannot hear properly right now,” she said after landing.
Medical teams were mobilised immediately after the aircraft reached Delhi. Seven passengers were admitted to Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj, where a Code Yellow emergency response was activated. Doctors conducted CT scans, MRIs and X-rays wherever necessary before shifting patients for observation. Hospital officials said further treatment would depend on specialist assessments, while most injured passengers were reported to be stable.
Investigation Underway Into Turbulence Incident
The DGCA has initiated a formal investigation to establish what caused the sudden altitude variation and whether the turbulence could have been anticipated. Investigators are examining the aircraft’s Flight Data Recorder (FDR), Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), weather conditions along the route, and the sequence of actions taken by the flight crew before and after the turbulence.
Officials are also expected to determine whether the aircraft encountered clear-air turbulence, a weather phenomenon that often develops without visible storm clouds and is difficult for onboard weather radar to detect.
Air India, in its official statement, said Flight AI2379 experienced a “brief in-flight turbulence-related event” during the cruise phase, resulting in a momentary change in altitude before continuing safely to Delhi. The airline confirmed that all passengers and crew members disembarked normally after landing and stated that there had been “no report of serious injuries”.
It added that “a small number of passengers and crew members with minor injuries requiring medical assessment have been taken to a medical facility at the airport for precautionary examination and care by Air India’s airport team and medical personnel.” The airline also said it was providing all necessary support to those affected and was fully cooperating with the DGCA investigation.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu later visited injured passengers receiving treatment at Fortis Hospital and reviewed the medical response following the incident. While the aircraft itself remained structurally safe and completed the journey without requiring an emergency diversion, the episode has once again drawn attention to passenger safety during unexpected turbulence.
Aviation experts note that commercial aircraft are built to withstand severe turbulence, but injuries typically occur when passengers or crew members are not wearing seat belts during sudden atmospheric disturbances. Until the DGCA completes its investigation, officials have not confirmed the exact cause of the incident.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Air India turbulence incident is a stark reminder that while modern aviation remains one of the safest modes of transport, unexpected events can occur without warning. The experiences shared by passengers highlight not only the physical injuries caused by severe turbulence but also the emotional trauma that can linger long after a flight has landed safely.
Such incidents reinforce the importance of following onboard safety guidance, including keeping seat belts fastened whenever seated, even when the seat belt sign is switched off. Equally important is ensuring that airlines, regulators and investigators communicate transparently with the public and use every such incident to strengthen safety protocols and preparedness for passengers and crew alike.
Also read: DGCA Investigates Severe Turbulence on Air India’s Phuket-Delhi Flight
