An Air India Airbus A320-200N, registration VT-EXO performing flight AI-2379 from Phuket (Thailand) to Delhi (India) with 137 passengers and 8 crew, was enroute at FL360 near position N21.33 E84.90 when the aircraft encountered severe turbulence causing altitude deviations of +175 feet followed by -250 feet before returning onto FL360 at about 09:33L (04:03Z). The aircraft continued to Delhi, where the aircraft landed without further incident about 90 minutes later. 13 passengers and 4 crew needed medical assistance.
The airline reported 13 passengers and 4 cabin crew received injuries.
India's Civil Aviation Ministry reported 8 passengers and 4 cabin crew were admitted to hospitals, all of them in stable condition. Flight data and cockpit voice recorder have been secured.
On Aug 10th 2026 India's DGCA reported that a transient technical fault caused the upset. The DGCA also stated that drug test on the captain has "not been negative" and needs confirmation. The occurrence is being investigated by India's AAIB.
On Aug 10th 2026 India's Pilots' Association reported that all three hydraulic systems failed. When the captain realized the triple hydraulic failure he instructed the first officer to take the nose of the aircraft down causing the loss of about 300 feet of altitude and a negative G-Load that caused the passengers to be thrown around the cabin. The crew had only a split second for the decision and could not have first switched on the fasten seat belt signs. The quick reaction by the crew saved countless lives on board.
On Aug 10th 2026 the airline changed their narrative of the accident now stating a "sudden loss of altitude during cruise" instead of inflight turbulence.
Satellite Image 09:15L (03:45Z) (Graphics: AVH/Meteosat):
The airline reported 13 passengers and 4 cabin crew received injuries.
India's Civil Aviation Ministry reported 8 passengers and 4 cabin crew were admitted to hospitals, all of them in stable condition. Flight data and cockpit voice recorder have been secured.
On Aug 10th 2026 India's DGCA reported that a transient technical fault caused the upset. The DGCA also stated that drug test on the captain has "not been negative" and needs confirmation. The occurrence is being investigated by India's AAIB.
On Aug 10th 2026 India's Pilots' Association reported that all three hydraulic systems failed. When the captain realized the triple hydraulic failure he instructed the first officer to take the nose of the aircraft down causing the loss of about 300 feet of altitude and a negative G-Load that caused the passengers to be thrown around the cabin. The crew had only a split second for the decision and could not have first switched on the fasten seat belt signs. The quick reaction by the crew saved countless lives on board.
On Aug 10th 2026 the airline changed their narrative of the accident now stating a "sudden loss of altitude during cruise" instead of inflight turbulence.
Satellite Image 09:15L (03:45Z) (Graphics: AVH/Meteosat):
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