"We thought we would die": Inside Phuket-Delhi Air India flight turbulence that left 17 injured

Highlights:

• Air India flight AI2379 encountered severe turbulence en route to New Delhi.
• Seventeen people, including four crew members, were injured.
• Passengers described a sudden altitude drop that threw people into the air.
• India's aviation regulator has launched an investigation into the incident.
• Flight data and cockpit voice recorders have been secured for analysis.

Passengers aboard an Air India flight from Phuket to New Delhi described terrifying moments of chaos after the aircraft encountered severe turbulence during cruise, causing a sudden loss of altitude that injured 17 people, including four crew members.

Air India said Flight AI2379, operated by an Airbus A320neo, was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members when it experienced what the airline initially described as a "momentary change in altitude" before landing safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi at 11:07 a.m. IST.

In a later statement, the airline confirmed that the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude during cruise. Thirteen passengers and four crew members were taken to hospitals for medical evaluation after landing.

"As of 18:50 hrs on 4 August, five passengers have been discharged, while the remaining individuals continue to receive treatment and care," Air India said, adding that its teams remained at local hospitals to assist those affected.

Sudden drop led to panic

For passengers, however, the experience was anything but routine.

"There was a sudden drop in the plane's altitude. I hit my head on the roof and then fell down," one passenger said after landing.

Videos recorded inside the aircraft showed broken overhead bin panels, luggage scattered across the cabin, and damaged storage compartments. Some bags remained partially hanging from overhead bins while passengers attempted to regain their composure after the violent jolts.

One passenger, Minchen, who recorded footage from inside the cabin, later described the experience as "the worst two hours" of her life.

"Please, please, please always wear your seatbelt on a plane, even when the seatbelt sign is off. I saw people being thrown into the air, hitting their heads, and getting injured. For a while, I genuinely thought we weren't going to make it. I hope everyone is okay," she said.

As turbulence intensified, even experienced cabin crew struggled to maintain order.

According to passengers, one flight attendant repeatedly urged travelers over the public address system to fasten their seat belts, while another was heard shouting instructions as panic spread through the cabin.

Several passengers said the seat belt sign was not illuminated immediately before the aircraft suddenly dropped.

One passenger traveling with his family said the incident felt like "a rebirth."

He recalled seeing his father, who was seated in the aisle drinking coffee, thrown into the air by the sudden drop.

"Suddenly, a big jolt happened, and he flew and hit the roof and fell on the floor," the passenger said.

He added that his mother struck her head against the overhead compartment, suffering swelling, while part of the overhead cabin detached and hit her near the left eye. His wife and two-year-old daughter were also thrown into the aisle during the turbulence, with the child sustaining minor head injuries.

"I would say that it was a rebirth for all of us," he said, adding that despite the terrifying experience, the crew remained calm and supportive throughout the emergency.

Passengers thrown in the air

Another passenger, Viviana from Italy, recalled fearing the worst as she watched her sister thrown into the air while her mother suffered a head injury.

"We thought we would die," she said.

Following the aircraft's arrival in New Delhi, injured passengers were transported to Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj and Medanta Hospital for treatment.

Fortis Hospital said seven passengers were admitted for emergency medical evaluation. Doctors conducted CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, and other diagnostic tests before placing patients under observation. Hospital officials said additional assessments would determine the extent of their injuries.

India's Ministry of Civil Aviation said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a formal investigation into the incident.

The aircraft has been moved to a maintenance hangar, while investigators have secured both the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder for detailed analysis.

The ministry also said the country's civil aviation minister personally visited injured passengers in the hospital, accompanied by senior ministry officials and the head of the DGCA, to review their condition and assure them of government support.

Air India said there were no life-threatening injuries reported and emphasized that passenger safety remains its highest priority. The airline pledged continued assistance to those receiving medical care while investigators work to determine what caused the sudden loss of altitude and the severe turbulence that turned an otherwise routine international flight into a frightening ordeal.