The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a formal investigation following an incident involving an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi. The Airbus A320 aircraft, identified by registration VT-EXO, experienced a sudden, temporary loss of altitude during its journey on Tuesday. Despite the mid-air event, the flight crew managed to stabilize the plane, allowing it to land safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.
The flight was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and a crew of eight, consisting of two pilots and six cabin staff. Upon arrival, medical teams were deployed to the airport to assess those on board. In total, eight passengers and four cabin crew members were transported to local hospitals for medical evaluation and treatment. The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that it is closely monitoring the situation alongside the DGCA, emphasizing that passenger safety remains the government’s primary concern.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, accompanied by Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, visited Fortis Hospital to check on the injured passengers and ensure they receive necessary support. Additionally, senior ministry officials have been dispatched to both Fortis and Medanta hospitals to coordinate with medical staff and Air India representatives, ensuring that all affected individuals receive appropriate care and assistance.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the aircraft has been moved to a hangar for inspection. Authorities have successfully secured the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) to facilitate a detailed technical analysis of the incident. The Ministry of Civil Aviation reiterated that all required measures are being implemented to determine the cause of the altitude variation and to maintain safety standards.
Source: Gulf Today
