Air India CEO questioned over Phuket-Delhi flight turbulence incident

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson met with Civil Aviation Secretary Sameer Kumar Sinha and senior officials to discuss a serious incident involving flight AI2379. The aircraft, an Airbus A320neo, was traveling from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi on August 4 when it experienced severe turbulence, dropping approximately 300 feet from its altitude of 36,000 feet. The incident resulted in 17 serious injuries.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has classified the event as a ‘serious incident’. Preliminary reports suggest technical issues, including hydraulic failure and autopilot disconnection, may have been involved. Investigators are currently analyzing flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders to determine the cause of the sudden altitude change and the crew's response.

Airbus and the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) are expected to assist in the technical investigation. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has removed the pilots from active duty rosters pending the completion of the inquiry.