Air India Flight Hit by Five Minutes of Severe Turbulence, Crew Suffers Spinal Injuries: Minister

A routine Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi turned into a frightening ordeal after the aircraft encountered severe mid-air turbulence that lasted nearly five minutes, leaving several passengers injured and causing serious spinal and neck injuries to members of the cabin crew, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Wednesday.

According to the minister, the prolonged turbulence subjected the aircraft to intense shaking, creating panic inside the cabin. Despite sustaining injuries, the cabin crew continued assisting passengers and carried out their emergency responsibilities until the flight landed safely in Delhi. The aircraft was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members. Following the landing, emergency medical teams attended to those injured, and 17 people, including passengers and crew, were taken to hospitals for treatment. Some have since been discharged, while others remain under medical observation.

Officials said the aircraft briefly experienced a significant loss of altitude during the turbulence before the pilots regained stability and completed the journey safely. The airline has not reported any mechanical issues with the aircraft, indicating that the incident was primarily weather-related. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a detailed investigation into the incident. Authorities have secured the aircraft's flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder to reconstruct the sequence of events and assess the crew's response during the turbulence. The probe will also examine weather conditions and operational procedures to determine whether additional safety measures are required.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu praised the professionalism of the flight crew, noting that they continued to prioritize passenger safety despite suffering painful injuries themselves. He assured that the government is closely monitoring the condition of those injured and that aviation authorities will thoroughly investigate the incident.

Severe turbulence remains relatively uncommon but can occur due to thunderstorms, jet streams, or clear-air turbulence that is difficult to detect in advance. Aviation experts often advise passengers to keep their seat belts fastened whenever they are seated, even when the seat belt sign is switched off, as sudden turbulence can occur without warning. The incident has once again highlighted the unpredictable nature of air travel and the importance of strict adherence to onboard safety instructions. The findings of the DGCA investigation are expected to help strengthen safety protocols and improve preparedness for similar situations in the future.