Air India Turbulence Injures 17
Severe turbulence on an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi lasted around four to five minutes and injured 17 people, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has said. Several cabin crew members suffered spinal injuries but continued assisting passengers until the aircraft landed safely.
Air India Turbulence Injures 17
Flight AI2379, operated with an Airbus A320, encountered severe turbulence during its journey on August 4. The aircraft experienced a sudden altitude change reportedly measuring approximately 300 feet, throwing unsecured passengers and crew members into seats, aisles and overhead panels.
Thirteen passengers and four crew members were injured. Fourteen of them were transferred to hospitals in Delhi and Gurugram for further examination, while others received medical assistance after landing.
Some injured passengers remained hospitalised as doctors assessed head, back and spinal injuries.
Cabin Crew Suffer Spinal Injuries
Naidu said the turbulence continued for nearly five minutes and that crew members sustained spinal injuries during the incident. Despite being hurt, they continued assisting passengers for about an hour until the flight reached Delhi.
The aircraft landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Medical personnel and ambulances were arranged to attend to the injured, although a passenger’s family later alleged shortcomings in the airline’s emergency coordination.
DGCA Investigates Phuket Delhi Flight
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has launched an investigation and taken possession of the aircraft’s flight recorders. Investigators will examine flight data, cockpit communications, weather conditions and the aircraft’s movements during the turbulence.
Air India said it was cooperating with authorities and assisting affected passengers and crew. The airline also informed the aircraft manufacturer about the incident.
The aircraft has been kept under examination while the aviation regulator determines the circumstances behind the sudden altitude loss.
