Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi hits severe clear-air turbulence, injuring passengers and crew

Air India had another difficult day on August 4, 2026, after its flights from Phuket to Delhi encountered a severe episode of clear-air turbulence that left multiple passengers and cabin crew injured. While the aircraft landed safely in Delhi, the incident has once again brought the spotlight on one of aviation’s most unpredictable hazards: clear-air turbulence (CAT).

The incident comes at a time when Air India remains under intense public scrutiny following the AI171 crash investigation, making every operational event attract significantly greater attention.

What happened onboard AI2379?

The flight involved was Air India flight AI2379, an Airbus A320 operating the scheduled service from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi, operated by VT-EXO.

According to initial reports, the aircraft encountered an intense pocket of clear-air turbulence while cruising at altitude. During the event, the aircraft experienced a rapid altitude deviation of approximately 300 feet, causing passengers and cabin crew who were not securely restrained to be thrown around the cabin.

The flight was carrying 137 passengers, including 3 infants, and 8 crew members (2 pilots and 6 cabin crew). Despite the frightening incident, the crew continued the flight safely to Delhi, where emergency medical teams had already been positioned before arrival.

How many people were injured?

By Tuesday afternoon, authorities confirmed that 17 people – 8 passengers and four cabin crew members – required hospital evaluation, although several media reports indicate that the total number of people sustaining some form of injury may have been even higher.

Some passengers reportedly suffered head injuries, shoulder injuries, ear injuries, including reports of ruptured eardrums and neck and back injuries. Cabin crew were also among those hurt while attending to passengers during the turbulence event. Several injured passengers were transferred to hospitals in Delhi and Gurugram, including the India Spinal Injuries Centre, Medanta and Fortis Hospital, while others received treatment at airport medical facilities.

Passenger accounts describe chaotic scenes

Passengers described a terrifying few seconds. According to eyewitness accounts, many travellers were sleeping when the aircraft suddenly dropped. People who were not wearing seat belts reportedly struck the cabin ceiling before falling back into their seats or aisles. Some overhead panels and portions of the cabin ceiling reportedly sustained damage during the event, illustrating the force of the turbulence.

One passenger described the experience as “a rebirth,” reflecting how frightening the sudden event felt despite the aircraft remaining fully controllable throughout.

Air India’s statement

Air India acknowledged that the aircraft experienced what it described as a brief turbulence-related event during the flight. Here is their statement,

Earlier today, Air India flight Al2379 operating from Phuket to Delhi experienced a sudden loss of altitude during cruise. After the momentary event, the aircraft continued normally and landed safely in Delhi at 11:07 hrs IST. The Airbus A320neo aircraft was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members.

Of these, 13 passengers and four crew members sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for medical evaluation. 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 teams remain at the hospitals and in close contact with those affected to provide all necessary assistance and support. In accordance with established safety and regulatory procedures, the relevant regulatory authorities have been informed. Air India is fully cooperating with the investigation, and the aircraft manufacturer has
also been notified. Air India’s foremost priority remains the safety and well-being of its passengers and crew. We will continue to support those affected and their families and will work closely with the relevant authorities throughout the course of the investigation.

– Air India spokesperson

Government launches investigation

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an investigation into the incident, even though I believe the Aircraft Accidents Investigation Board should be conducting such investigations.

Investigators have reportedly secured both the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) from the aircraft to determine precisely what occurred during the turbulence encounter and whether there were any other contributing operational factors.

What exactly is clear-air turbulence?

Unlike turbulence associated with thunderstorms, clear-air turbulence (CAT) occurs in otherwise cloud-free skies, making it extremely difficult to detect visually.

It typically develops near jet streams or where fast-moving air masses interact. Because there are often no visible weather cues, onboard weather radar – which primarily detects moisture and storm activity -cannot always identify these turbulent pockets in advance.

Modern airlines rely on:

• Weather forecasting models
• Pilot reports from aircraft ahead
• Atmospheric wind data
• Dispatch planning

to reduce the likelihood of encountering severe CAT, but it cannot be completely eliminated.

Why seat belts matter, even when the sign is off

Incidents like this reinforce one of aviation’s oldest pieces of advice: keep your seat belt fastened whenever you are seated, even after the seat belt sign has been switched off. Aircraft are engineered to withstand turbulence far greater than what passengers typically experience. The greatest risk is not structural damage to the aircraft but injuries inside the cabin when occupants are thrown against seats, overhead bins or the cabin ceiling. This is precisely why airlines routinely advise passengers to leave their seat belts loosely fastened throughout the flight.

A reminder that turbulence remains aviation’s most unpredictable hazard

Severe turbulence events remain relatively rare, particularly those resulting in injuries. Millions of commercial flights operate safely every year, and aircraft are certified to withstand significant turbulence loads. However, clear-air turbulence continues to present one of aviation’s greatest operational challenges because it often develops without visible warning. In recent history, Singapore Airlines SQ321, operating a flight between London Heathrow and Singapore, suffered major damage and had a casualty on board due to CAT.

While investigators will now analyse flight recorder data to reconstruct exactly what AI2379 encountered, today’s incident serves as another reminder that even routine flights can experience unexpected atmospheric conditions—and that the simplest safety advice passengers receive, keeping a seat belt fastened whenever seated, remains one of the most effective ways to prevent injury.

Bottomline

Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi safely completed its journey after encountering a significant episode of clear-air turbulence, resulting in injuries to passengers and crew. The DGCA has opened an investigation, with flight recorder data expected to provide a clearer picture of the sequence of events. Although the aircraft landed safely, the incident highlights both the unpredictable nature of clear-air turbulence and the importance of following seat belt instructions throughout a flight.

I hope the people make a full recovery quickly and the aircraft is back in the air soon.

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