Air India flight AI2379 hits sudden 300-ft altitude drop; AAIB probes serious incident
Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi suffered a sudden altitude loss of about 300 feet during cruise on 4 August 2026, injuring passengers and crew; AAIB is investigating it as a serious incident.
Summary
Air India flight AI2379, an Airbus A320 (registration VT-EXO) flying from Phuket to Delhi on 4 August 2026, experienced a sudden altitude variation of about 300 feet during cruise before stabilising and landing safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. The aircraft carried 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members; injuries were reported to 20 passengers and four cabin crew members. The Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder were secured. The occurrence was classified as a Serious Incident and is being investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under ICAO protocols, with France's BEA and Airbus providing technical assistance as the State of Design and Manufacture.
Key facts
- Flight
- AI2379, Phuket–Delhi, Airbus A320 VT-EXO
- Date
- 4 Aug 2026
- Event
- Sudden altitude loss of ~300 ft during cruise
- On board
- 137 passengers (3 infants) + 8 crew
- Injured
- 20 passengers and 4 cabin crew
- Investigator
- AAIB (Serious Incident); BEA France and Airbus assisting
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Air India flight AI2379, which suffered a sudden altitude loss on 4 August 2026, was operated by which aircraft type?
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Correct answer: A — Airbus A320
AI2379 was operated by an Airbus A320, registration VT-EXO.
Which body is investigating the AI2379 occurrence, classified as a Serious Incident?
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Correct answer: C — Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
The occurrence was classified as a Serious Incident and taken up for investigation by the AAIB under ICAO protocols.
Consider the following statements about the AI2379 incident of 4 August 2026: 1. France's BEA, along with Airbus, is assisting the investigation as the authority of the State of Design and Manufacture. 2. The aircraft lost about 3,000 feet of altitude during cruise. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the altitude variation was about 300 feet.