Severe turbulence on an Air India flight from Phuket, Thailand, to New Delhi injured 17 passengers and crew members [1].
The incident highlights the ongoing risks of clear-air turbulence, which can cause sudden altitude changes and injuries to unsecured passengers and crew.
The aircraft, an Airbus A320neo, was traveling over the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2024, when it encountered the weather event [1], [2]. According to a press release from Air India, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude during cruise [3]. The flight dropped about 300 feet [4].
The sudden plunge threw passengers into the aisles and against the cabin roof [1]. One passenger said, "We thought we would die" [4].
Reports on the total number of people on board vary. One source listed 137 passengers [2], while another reported 145 passengers [5]. The flight also carried eight crew members [2].
Air India said the aircraft experienced the loss of altitude during its cruise phase [3]. The airline did not provide further details on the specific medical condition of the 17 injured individuals [1].
“"We thought we would die"”
This incident underscores the volatility of mid-flight turbulence, where sudden drops in altitude can occur even during the cruise phase. The disparity in passenger counts between reporting sources suggests initial confusion during the emergency response, a common occurrence in aviation incidents. The event reinforces the critical importance of seatbelt compliance throughout the duration of a flight, regardless of whether the fasten seatbelt sign is illuminated.
