India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation has launched an investigation after Air India flight AI2379 [2] experienced a sudden mid-air altitude loss.
The incident highlights potential safety risks during international transit and prompts a regulatory review of aircraft stability and crew response protocols.
The aircraft, an Airbus A320 [3], was operating a flight from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi, India. While en route, the plane suffered a sudden drop of approximately 300 feet [1]. The rapid change in altitude resulted in injuries to several people on board.
Reports indicate that one cabin crew member sustained severe injuries [4], while another crew member also suffered injuries [4]. Additionally, several passengers sustained minor injuries during the event [5].
The DGCA has opened a formal probe to determine the exact cause of the altitude loss. The investigation will examine flight data and crew reports to establish why the aircraft descended unexpectedly and whether mechanical failure or atmospheric conditions played a role.
Air India has not yet released a detailed statement regarding the specific cause of the drop, but the DGCA is now leading the effort to ensure the safety of the fleet. The probe will focus on the sequence of events leading up to the descent and the effectiveness of the emergency response.
“The plane suffered a sudden drop of approximately 300 feet.”
A sudden loss of altitude in a commercial jet can be caused by various factors, ranging from severe clear-air turbulence to technical malfunctions in the autopilot or engine systems. The DGCA's investigation is critical to determine if this was an isolated weather event or a systemic mechanical issue with the Airbus A320 fleet, which would necessitate wider safety audits across the carrier.
