An Air India Airbus A320 lost approximately 300 feet [1] during a flight over Odisha, injuring passengers and crew members.
The incident has prompted a serious-incident investigation by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and the Civil Aviation Ministry. The case is significant because officials are now questioning whether the sudden altitude loss was caused by weather or a mechanical failure.
The aircraft was traveling from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi, India, on Aug. 4, 2024 [1]. While cruising over the Indian state of Odisha, the plane experienced a sudden plunge. The flight eventually landed safely in Delhi [2].
Reports on the number of casualties vary. One source said that 24 people were injured [1]. Another report based on passenger accounts indicates that 17 people, consisting of 13 passengers and four crew members, were hospitalized [3].
Investigators are currently debating the cause of the drop. While passengers described experiencing severe turbulence [3], a note from the Civil Aviation Ministry omitted the word "turbulence" [2]. This omission has led to speculation that other factors may have contributed to the event.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is leading the probe to determine why the aircraft lost altitude during its cruise phase. The ministry has not yet released a final determination on the cause of the incident [2].
“An Air India Airbus A320 lost approximately 300 feet during a flight over Odisha.”
The discrepancy between passenger accounts of turbulence and the official omission of the term in ministry notes suggests a widening scope for the investigation. If the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau rules out weather-related turbulence, the focus will likely shift toward potential technical malfunctions or pilot error, which could lead to broader safety audits for the A320 fleet operated by Air India.
