‘We are continuously watching’: Minister says 4 crew remain hospitalised after Air India turbulence

New Delhi: An Air India Phuket-Delhi flight encountered severe turbulence on August 4, leaving around 24 passengers seeking medical attention and four crew members still hospitalised as the DGCA investigates the incident.

Most passengers injured during turbulence on an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 have been discharged from hospital, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said.

The flight encountered turbulence during its journey, resulting in a brief change in altitude and injuries to some passengers and crew members.

Naidu said around 24 passengers experienced medical issues following the incident and were taken to hospital for medical evaluation.

“Most of the passengers in the first few hours only, were discharged from the hospital,” the minister said.

However, four crew members remain hospitalised and are being kept under medical observation. Naidu said the government is continuing to monitor their condition and that Air India is providing support.

DGCA investigating turbulence incident

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Naidu said the authorities are waiting for the final findings of the investigation before determining exactly how the incident occurred.

“As far as how the incident happened, the DGCA is investigating it, and we still have to know the final report on that,” he said.

The investigation comes after passengers reported a sudden change in altitude during the flight.

Passenger files complaint with DGCA

A passenger travelling with his family on the Phuket-Delhi flight has also filed a complaint through the AirSewa portal, alleging that the aircraft suddenly dropped during the flight.

According to the complaint, the family of six was travelling on the August 4 flight when the aircraft experienced an estimated 300-foot drop at around 9:30 am IST.

The passenger alleged that some passengers were thrown towards the cabin ceiling during the incident.

He claimed that his 62-year-old mother-in-law, Renu Raniwala, suffered a rib injury and a suspected spinal injury, while his 64-year-old father-in-law, Mukul Raniwala, sustained bruises.

These allegations form part of the complaint and are subject to the ongoing investigation.

Passengers taken for medical evaluation

Visuals from the airport after the flight landed showed ambulances outside the terminal. Some passengers were assisted in wheelchairs, while others were seen with bandages before being taken for medical evaluation.

The aviation authorities are expected to establish the precise sequence of events and determine whether any operational or safety-related factors contributed to the incident.

Naidu also spoke about broader aviation safety and regulatory measures being examined by the government.

He said different working groups within the DGCA are looking at areas including safety, navigation and vertiports, while regulators are engaging with industry stakeholders as aviation technology develops.

The minister said India was working on its own regulatory framework rather than simply adopting guidelines developed elsewhere.

The final findings of the DGCA investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the Air India turbulence incident and whether further regulatory action is required.