Air India Flight AI2379 Turbulence Incident: DGCA Initiates Detailed Investigation After Aircraft Loses 300 Feet
An Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi dropped 300 feet due to severe turbulence, injuring several passengers and crew. The aircraft landed safely in Delhi, prompting a formal DGCA investigation and hospital visits from aviation officials. 'Have directed a medical status update on each patient every 2 hours,' Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said.
An Air India Airbus A320neo operating from Phuket to New Delhi experienced a sudden, severe turbulence-related event that caused the aircraft to drop approximately 300 feet in altitude, leaving several passengers and crew members injured. Flight AI2379, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, encountered the mid-air drop during cruise. Despite the abrupt loss of altitude, the aircraft landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Authorities confirmed that multiple individuals sustained injuries, prompting an immediate government probe.
Government and Regulatory Response
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated that the government has initiated a comprehensive inquiry into the incident and is closely monitoring the health status of those affected. In a post on X, Naidu noted that he held a review meeting with hospital doctors, Air India representatives, and officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Air India Flight AI2379 Turbulence Incident: Passenger Shilpi Jain Alleges Crew Asked Not To Film To Protect Reputation (Video).
"I have directed a medical status update on each patient every two hours. I have also directed DGCA to initiate a detailed investigation into the occurrence," the minister said. Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha and DGCA Director General Vir Vikram Yadav subsequently accompanied the minister to Fortis Hospital in New Delhi to meet the injured passengers. Investigators have secured the aircraft's Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) - commonly known as the black boxes - from the hangar for detailed analysis.
Directed DGCA To Initiate a Detailed Investigation Into the Occurrence, Says
Ram Mohan Naidu
Visited Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj today to check on the passengers and crew of Air India flight AI2379 (Phuket–Delhi), which experienced turbulence during the flight.
While all passengers and crew were immediately attended by the medical teams as a precautionary measure, 8…
— Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) August 4, 2026
Airline and Medical Updates
According to Air India, the flight encountered a "brief in-flight turbulence-related event during cruise, resulting in a momentary change in altitude". A senior DGCA official reported that the pilot-in-command noted severe injuries to one cabin crew member, injuries to another crew member, and minor injuries to several passengers. The airline confirmed that injured individuals were immediately shifted to medical facilities upon landing. Air India Flight AI2379 From Phuket to Delhi Hits Turbulence, Several Passengers Injured (Videos).
Out of those hospitalised for detailed evaluations, several passengers have since been discharged, while others remain under observation in stable condition. Air India stated that it has notified relevant regulatory bodies and aircraft manufacturer Airbus, adding that it is fully cooperating with the ongoing DGCA investigation while supporting affected passengers and crew.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 04, 2026 11:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
