Two Air India flights suffer damages amid turbulence; crew injured
What's the story
An Air India plane from Delhi to Vijayawada encountered severe turbulence which resulted in a commode in one of the lavatories being ripped out. Cabin crew were also reportedly injured in the incident, which occurred on September 17. In a similar incident, another Air India aircraft, flying from Delhi to Trivandrum via Kochi sustained damages during severe turbulence on September 20. Here's more.
Delhi-Vijayawada
Delhi-Vijawada AI-467 flight encountered thunderstorm
The AI-467 flight operating between New Delhi-Vijayawada encountered a severe thunderstorm, ANI reported. Visuals from the incident show the aisle in the passenger cabin littered with meals and a commode in the lavatory was also ripped out due to turbulence in the Airbus 320 aircraft. However, the cabin crew did not report the incident to the airline's flight safety department as per the norm.
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Aircraft must have dropped sharply and suddenly: Source
A source told The Times of India, "[The turbulence] was so severe that it upset the plastic meal trays, sending them flying to the roof and then crashing into the aisle." "A commode flew off its base. The aircraft must have dropped sharply and suddenly," the source said, adding that while turbulence is common this season, but this was an extreme case.
Information
Air India launched investigation against AI-467 crew
While the source said that the cabin crew sustained minor injuries, an Air India spokesperson claimed neither crew nor the 174 passengers aboard the AI-467 were injured. However, Air India has launched an investigation against the crew for failing to alert the flight safety department.
Delhi-Kochi-Trivandrum
AI-048 flight hit turbulence between Kochi-Trivandrum
Meanwhile, the Delhi-Kochi-Trivandrum AI-048 flight encountered turbulence while flying from Kochi to Trivandrum. The Airbus-321 aircraft, which was carrying 172 passengers, suffered "minor" damages as a resulted of the turbulence on Friday, according to PTI. However, unlike the AI-467 crew, cabin crew aboard the AI-048 alerted the flight safety department immediately. The flight was grounded in Kochi for four hours.
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No injuries on AI-048; flight safety department conducted investigation
An Air India official told PTI that no injuries were reported in the Friday incident, passenger or crew. The official added that the safety department has carried out a detailed investigation. The flight resumed operations after the four-hour delay.