New Delhi, August 8 : Four crew members remain hospitalised following severe turbulence encountered by an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi on August 4, while most passengers who sought medical attention have been discharged, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Saturday.
The minister said around 24 passengers experienced medical issues following the turbulence and were taken to hospitals for evaluation. Most were discharged within the first few hours, he said.
The four crew members continue to remain under medical observation, with the government closely monitoring their condition. Air India is also providing assistance to those affected.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating the incident to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the sudden change in altitude during the flight.
“As far as how the incident happened, the DGCA is investigating it, and we still have to know the final report on that,” Naidu said.
Meanwhile, a passenger travelling with his family has filed a complaint through the AirSewa portal, alleging that the aircraft experienced an estimated 300-foot drop at around 9:30 am.
According to the complaint, some passengers were thrown towards the cabin ceiling during the incident. The passenger alleged that his 62-year-old mother-in-law suffered a rib injury and a suspected spinal injury, while his 64-year-old father-in-law sustained bruises.
The allegations are part of the complaint and will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
Visuals following the flight’s arrival in Delhi showed ambulances outside the terminal, with some passengers being assisted in wheelchairs and others seen with bandages.
Authorities are awaiting the DGCA’s final findings, which will establish the sequence of events and determine whether any operational or safety-related factors contributed to the incident.
