Authorities are investigating the cause of a sudden altitude loss involving an Air India Airbus A320neo operating flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi, which left 17 people injured. Initial reports attributed the incident to severe turbulence, but India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is also examining the possibility of a temporary technical fault.
The aircraft lost approximately 300 feet of altitude, injuring 13 passengers and four cabin crew members. Following the incident, the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were taken for analysis, while Airbus is also supporting the technical investigation. The A320neo has been temporarily withdrawn from service for inspections and maintenance.
One passenger said a loud humming noise was heard shortly before the sudden descent and described the experience by saying: “I had never felt so close to death before.”
Authorities said the exact cause will be determined after the technical investigation and analysis of the flight records are completed.
