‘Felt We Weren’t Going to Survive’: Passenger Recounts Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight Turbulence, Sparks Safety Investigation

A passenger on an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 described a harrowing experience as the aircraft encountered severe turbulence, leading to panic among passengers. Shrikant Jha, traveling with his family, reported that the turbulence caused injuries and chaos onboard, prompting him to file complaints with U.S. authorities and AirSewa regarding the airline’s handling of the situation.

Severe Turbulence Leads to Injuries

Jha recounted that the flight had been smooth until the aircraft unexpectedly dropped approximately 300 feet during a disturbance lasting around 10 to 12 seconds. This sudden movement resulted in passengers being thrown from their seats. Jha’s mother-in-law sustained a hairline fracture after hitting an armrest, while his father-in-law, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown against the ceiling, suffering bruises and bleeding.

‘Felt This Was Our Last Moment Together’

During the turbulence, the seatbelt sign was off. Jha had just returned from the lavatory with his son, who had requested to be held. As the aircraft began to drop, Jha described a moment of sheer terror, believing that he and his family might not survive. He noted that passengers were screaming and that there was “complete panic” inside the cabin. While he praised the pilots for regaining control of the aircraft, he expressed concerns about their demeanor and communication with passengers after the incident.

Questions Over Pilot’s Demeanor

Jha observed the pilot’s appearance and demeanor during boarding, feeling that the pilot did not seem as well-presented as expected. Although he initially dismissed these observations, he later raised concerns about the pilot’s behavior following the turbulence. Jha reported that the pilot instructed passengers not to take photographs or videos, suggesting that such actions could exaggerate the situation. He felt that passengers required empathy and reassurance instead.

Some passengers speculated that the pilot appeared intoxicated, although Jha emphasized that this was not confirmed by anyone onboard.

Decision to Continue to Delhi Under Scrutiny

Another significant concern raised by Jha in his complaint to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was the decision not to divert the aircraft to the nearest airport despite the injuries onboard. The pilot informed passengers that the flight would continue to Delhi due to better medical facilities there. Jha questioned why Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, could not provide adequate treatment.

Criticism of Airport Response

Upon landing in Delhi, Jha criticized the airport’s response, stating that passengers were primarily met by wheelchair attendants, with no doctors or senior officials present initially. He had to intervene when his injured mother-in-law was being taken toward immigration, asking about medical arrangements. An airport doctor eventually began treating the injured passengers, but Jha noted that only a small number of junior staff were present during the initial response.

He also claimed that passengers were left for 30 to 40 minutes without assistance, prompting him to call out for water before it was provided. The situation improved when Terminal 3 head Ravi Shankar Guha arrived, expediting immigration and ensuring medical attention for Jha’s mother-in-law.

Compensation Not the Priority

Air India reached out to Jha after his complaint was forwarded by the DGCA to discuss compensation and medical expenses. However, Jha clarified that financial compensation was not his goal. He emphasized that his primary concern was ensuring that passenger safety is taken seriously, raising questions about the airline’s safety protocols and emergency response.

Jha also alleged that passengers faced challenges receiving medical attention at the hospital and claimed that an Air India employee advised his family to discourage him from speaking to the media to protect the airline’s reputation. He stressed that passenger welfare should take precedence over the airline’s image.

Seeking Answers and Improved Safety Procedures

In his complaint, Jha highlighted several issues, including the decision not to divert the aircraft, the perceived fitness and conduct of crew members, and the adequacy of the response to injured passengers after landing. He also questioned the warnings against passengers recording or sharing footage of the incident. Jha stated that he was not seeking financial compensation but rather answers and improvements to emergency procedures.

He expressed a desire for assurance that future flights would prioritize the safety of passengers, especially children. Jha and his family, who are U.S. citizens, were in India for summer vacation and had traveled to Phuket for leisure.

Incident Overview

On August 4, Air India’s flight from Phuket to Delhi reportedly experienced turbulence for four to five minutes, resulting in injuries to some crew members and passengers as the plane dropped nearly 300 feet. The flight later stabilized and landed safely.

Following the incident, the two-member pilot crew underwent psychoactive substance testing, with one pilot failing to clear the initial test. A second test is pending results. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has classified the occurrence as a serious incident and has handed the investigation over to the Aircraft Incident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

The Ministry stated that both flight crew members underwent the required screening tests, with the Pilot-in-Command’s results necessitating confirmatory testing. Pending the investigation, both pilots have been removed from the flight roster.

The aircraft was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members. The Ministry of Civil Aviation remains committed to maintaining high standards of aviation safety and ensuring thorough investigations into such occurrences.

As reported by www.timesnownews.com.

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Published on 2026-08-10 05:37:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk