Panic gripped passengers aboard Air India Flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi after the aircraft encountered severe turbulence, briefly losing nearly 300 feet in altitude and leaving at least 17 people, including four cabin crew members, injured.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi: What began as a routine flight from Phuket to Delhi turned into a terrifying ordeal on Tuesday morning when an Air India aircraft was rocked by severe turbulence, violently tossing passengers and crew around the cabin and injuring at least 17 people. The Airbus A320, operating Flight AI2379, reportedly lost nearly 300 feet in altitude within seconds, triggering panic, screams and scenes of chaos inside the aircraft.
The flight, carrying 134 passengers and eight crew members, landed safely at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at around 11.30 a.m., but several injured passengers required immediate medical attention. Four cabin crew members were among those hurt, while one crew member reportedly sustained serious injuries.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered an investigation into the incident, which passengers described as one of the most frightening experiences of their lives.
‘My Father Was Thrown Into the Ceiling’
One passenger travelling with his parents, wife and two young daughters recalled how the turbulence struck without warning.
“My father was sitting in the aisle seat drinking coffee. Since the seat belt sign was not illuminated, he wasn’t wearing his seat belt. Suddenly, the aircraft lurched violently. He was thrown into the ceiling before crashing onto the floor,” he said.
The passenger said his mother hit her head against the overhead cabin and suffered swelling near her left eye after part of the overhead compartment struck her.
His wife and two-year-old daughter were also flung into the aisle during the violent jolt. The toddler suffered a head injury and swelling before being treated after the aircraft landed.
The family was later discharged from hospital and travelled to Chandigarh by road.
“It was a rebirth for all of us,” the passenger said.
“There were screams everywhere. My five-year-old daughter was terrified, and so were we. For a few moments, we genuinely believed we were not going to survive.”
Despite the terrifying experience, he praised the pilot and cabin crew for remaining calm and helping reassure passengers throughout the emergency.
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दिल्ली पहुंचने से पहले हवा में मचा हड़कंप, टर्बुलेंस ने उड़ान को बना दिया डरावना सफर!💔
दिल्ली आने वाली एयर इंडिया की फ्लाइट
AI2379 भीषण टर्बुलेंस की चपेट में आ गई।उड़ान के दौरान अचानक आए तेज झटकों से विमान में अफरा-तफरी मच गई जिसमें 12 से अधिक यात्री और क्रू सदस्य घायल… pic.twitter.com/wl8CG79ez2
— Pintu Singh (@pintusi11376418) August 4, 2026
‘People Were Bleeding’
Viviana, an Italian passenger on the flight, said the aircraft appeared to be cruising normally before the turbulence suddenly struck.
“I saw my sister being thrown into the air. My mother hit her head, and my phone flew away. People sitting behind me were also injured. One man had blood on his face,” she said while accompanying an injured relative to an ambulance.
“We thought we would die. I was shaking and crying. It was horrifying. Even now, I cannot hear properly.”
Seven Passengers Hospitalised
Seven passengers were admitted to Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, where doctors activated a Code Yellow emergency response after receiving an alert from Air India.
Patients underwent CT scans, MRIs and X-rays before being shifted to inpatient wards for observation. Doctors said further treatment would depend on detailed medical assessments.
DGCA Orders Probe
According to a senior DGCA official, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of around 300 feet in altitude after encountering severe turbulence.
Investigators will examine weather conditions, cockpit data, turbulence forecasts and operational procedures to determine the exact cause of the incident and assess whether all prescribed safety protocols were followed.
Air India Issues Statement
Air India confirmed that Flight AI2379 experienced a “brief turbulence-related event” during the cruise phase, resulting in a momentary change in altitude.
The airline said the aircraft landed safely in Delhi and all passengers and crew disembarked normally.
“There has been no report of life-threatening injuries. A small number of passengers and crew members requiring medical assessment were taken to healthcare facilities as a precaution,” the airline said.
It added that it was providing all necessary assistance to those affected and was fully cooperating with the DGCA investigation.
For many on board, however, the safe landing offered little immediate comfort. What should have been an ordinary journey became a traumatic reminder of how quickly a routine flight can descend into panic when nature strikes without warning.
