NEW DELHI - Indian authorities are investigating a sudden altitude loss involving an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi.
Flight AI2379 was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members when the Airbus A320neo experienced a turbulence-related event during cruise on Tuesday, August 4.
The aircraft landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 11:07 a.m. local time, according to a government account reported by Reuters.
Air India said in a statement reported by The Times of India that 13 passengers and four crew members sustained injuries and were taken to hospitals for medical evaluation. Five passengers had been discharged by 6:50 p.m. Tuesday, while the remaining patients continued to receive treatment and care.
The airline described the occurrence as a brief in-flight turbulence-related event that resulted in a momentary change in altitude. It said the aircraft landed safely in Delhi, all passengers and crew members disembarked, and its teams were assisting those affected.
Air India also notified the aircraft manufacturer and said it was cooperating with the investigation.
The aircraft, identified by the Ministry of Civil Aviation as VT-EXO, was moved to a hangar for inspection. Its Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder were secured for detailed examination, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation opened an investigation, according to a ministry-based report by The Economic Times.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu visited injured passengers at Fortis Hospital in Delhi. Senior ministry officials also visited Fortis and Medanta hospitals and coordinated with hospital authorities and Air India over medical treatment and support.
The Times of India reported that the sudden movement threw some passengers from their seats and into overhead fixtures. The aircraft sustained minor damage but continued to Delhi and landed safely.
As of Wednesday morning, August 5, the DGCA had not announced a cause. Investigators were examining the aircraft and its recorders to determine what caused the altitude change during cruise.
