Passengers Recall Terrifying Moments as Phuket-Delhi Flight Hit by Violent Air Turbulence
An Air India flight travelling from Phuket, Thailand, to New Delhi narrowly avoided a major accident on Tuesday, August 4, after encountering severe air turbulence during the journey. The aircraft reportedly dropped approximately 300 feet within moments, creating panic among passengers and crew members.
The incident left 14 people injured, including 10 passengers and 4 cabin crew members. Despite the mid-air scare, the flight landed safely at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi.
Flight Suddenly Dropped During Cruise
According to available information, Air India Flight AI2379, operated by an Airbus A320 (Registration: VT-EXO), departed Phuket at 8:41 AM local time.
The aircraft was cruising normally when it encountered a sudden spell of intense turbulence. During the turbulence, the aircraft briefly lost around 300 feet of altitude, causing violent shaking throughout the cabin.
Several passengers were thrown from their seats, leading to injuries and widespread panic onboard.
Flight tracking data shows the aircraft landed safely in Delhi at around 11:00 AM.
DGCA Launches Investigation
Following the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) initiated an investigation.
According to a DGCA official, the pilot reported that one cabin crew member sustained serious injuries during the turbulence. Authorities will examine the severity of the turbulence and whether all required safety procedures were followed during the flight.
Air India Issues Official Statement
Air India confirmed the incident in an official statement.
The airline stated that Flight AI2379 experienced a brief period of turbulence during its journey from Phuket to Delhi, resulting in a temporary change in altitude. The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew members disembarked without any major incident.
The airline further said that no life-threatening injuries have been reported. Those who suffered minor injuries were sent for precautionary medical examinations. Air India also assured full cooperation with investigating authorities and support for affected passengers.
“My Sister Was Thrown Into the Air”
Italian passenger Viviana, who was onboard the flight, described the terrifying experience.
She said the aircraft was flying normally when violent turbulence suddenly began.
“I saw my sister being thrown into the air from her seat. My mother suffered a serious head injury. My phone flew out of my hand. Several passengers behind me were injured, and one passenger’s face was covered in blood. At that moment, we genuinely believed we were going to die. I was shaking and crying. Even now, I cannot hear properly.”
Passengers Were Sleeping When the Aircraft Jolted
Another passenger told ANI that the incident occurred roughly 90 minutes after takeoff.
Most passengers were asleep when the aircraft suddenly began shaking violently.
According to the passenger:
- The turbulence continued for around 2–3 minutes.
- Around 15–20 people appeared to be injured.
- More than 100 passengers were onboard.
- Many believed the aircraft was falling.
The passenger described the experience as extremely frightening and said some passengers planned to take action against the airline.
While a few passengers claimed the number of injured was higher, Air India and official sources confirmed 14 injuries.
Injured Taken to Medical Centre
Medical teams and ambulances were already waiting when the aircraft landed at Delhi’s IGI Airport.
The injured passengers and crew members were immediately shifted to the airport’s medical facility, while some were referred to nearby hospitals for additional examination and treatment.
What Is Air Turbulence?
Air turbulence refers to sudden, irregular movements of air that cause an aircraft to shake or experience brief changes in altitude.
Common causes include:
- Thunderstorms and severe weather
- Jet streams
- Rising and descending air currents
- Clear Air Turbulence (CAT)
- Strong winds during takeoff and landing
Turbulence is a common occurrence in aviation, and commercial aircraft are designed to withstand it. However, severe turbulence capable of causing injuries to passengers and crew remains relatively uncommon.
