2 Air India planes suffer damages after hitting air turbulence; crew injured

New Delhi, September 22 

An Air India plane carrying 172 passengers suffered "minor" damages after it hit air turbulence on Friday on the way to Kochi from Thiruvananthapuram, but landed safely, an official said on Saturday. 

No injury to any passenger or crew has been reported, he said, adding Air India's safety department has carried out a detailed investigation.

"Air India's Delhi-Trivandrum-Kochi flight A1467 hit air turbulence when it was on the way to Kochi from Trivandrum. Though no injury has been reported, the A321 aircraft suffered minor damages. It was grounded immediately after landing for inspection. Due to this, the return flight was delayed by nearly four hours," the official said, adding an investigation is underway. 

Meanwhile, sources in the airline said that on September 17 also, an Air India New Delhi-Vijaywada plane with 174 passengers hit severe bad weather. 

The passengers suffered minor bruises, sources said. 

Several photos surfaced on social media revealing the extent of the damage to the plane. In one of the photos, crew members can be seen being examined, while in another, food trays are seen scattered all over the aisle.

Air India has started an investigation into the incident. — Inputs from PTI/ IANS

Air India's Delhi - Vijaywada flight ran into heavy turbulence on Tuesday. Hope no one goes through this mid-air hell : pic.twitter.com/EbOd3FNTHW

— Tarun Shukla (@shukla_tarun) September 21, 2019