An Air India international flight travelling from Phuket in Thailand to New Delhi encountered severe atmospheric turbulence mid-air on August 4, leaving several passengers and flight crew members injured. The incident occurred aboard flight AI2379 when unexpected atmospheric disturbances caused rapid fluctuations in the aircraft's altitude. Despite the violent shocks experienced in mid-flight, the plane managed to proceed on its journey and landed safely at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Mid-Air Turbulence Causes Aircraft to Drop 300 Feet
According to flight tracking service flightradar24.com, the aircraft experienced severe chaos inside the cabin when rapid upward and downward air currents, known as updrafts and downdrafts, hit the vessel. This sudden atmospheric fluctuation caused the aircraft to plunge nearly 300 feet within a span of just a few seconds. The sudden and sharp loss of altitude threw unbuckled passengers and cabin items around, resulting in injuries to multiple people on board.
The scheduled flight had departed from Phuket at 8:25 AM local time and completed its journey to land safely in New Delhi at 11:50 AM Indian Standard Time (IST). Upon arrival, emergency protocols were activated, and all passengers as well as crew members were safely deplaned.
Immediate Medical Care Provided Upon Landing in Delhi
Addressing the incident, an official spokesperson for Air India confirmed that flight AI2379 operating on the Phuket-Delhi route on August 4 was impacted by brief but intense turbulence during its passage. The spokesperson stated that while the turbulence caused an abrupt shift in flight altitude, the aircraft touched down safely without further complication. No critical or life-threatening injuries were reported among those on board.
As a precautionary measure, all injured passengers and crew members who required physical assessment were immediately escorted to the airport's dedicated medical care unit. The ground operations team from Air India, alongside specialized airport medical personnel, provided prompt attention and treatment. The airline highlighted that passenger and crew welfare remains its highest priority, adding that full cooperation is being extended to aviation safety authorities conducting routine reviews of the incident.
Visuals Highlight Impact on Passengers and Cabin Crew
Visual evidence following the landing revealed the sudden physical impact of the mid-air turbulence on individuals inside the cabin. A male passenger was seen being transferred to an emergency ambulance with extensive medical bandages covering his head, face, and one of his eyes. Additionally, a female cabin crew member was attended to in a wheelchair while wearing a supportive neck collar, reflecting the physical strain caused by the unexpected drops and shifts in altitude.
