IndiGo Flight 6E 2937 Delhi-Srinagar Route Hit by Severe Turbulence: Injury Updates and Eyewitness Accounts

Breaking News (June 15, 2024): Passengers aboard IndiGo flight 6E 2937 from Delhi to Srinagar experienced

terrifying moments today when the Airbus A320neo aircraft encountered sudden severe turbulence, resulting in multiple injuries and widespread panic onboard.

Flight Details:

Flight Number: 6E 2937 (Airbus A320neo, registration VT-ITK)

Route: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport (SXR)

• Scheduled Departure: 09:15 AM IST
• Actual Departure: 09:22 AM IST
• Turbulence Incident: 10:42 AM IST at 28,000 feet
• Safe Landing: 11:12 AM IST in Srinagar

The Incident:
According to preliminary reports from aviation authorities, the aircraft encountered unexpected clear-air turbulence approximately 45 minutes before scheduled arrival.

The violent shaking lasted for nearly two minutes, with the aircraft experiencing sudden altitude drops estimated at 100-150 feet.

Injury Report (Confirmed by Medical Teams at SXR):

• Total injured: 17 (14 passengers + 3 crew members)
• Serious injuries: 3 (including one passenger with suspected spinal injury)
• Moderate injuries: 8 (lacerations, fractures)
• Minor injuries: 6 (bruises, sprains)

No fatalities reported

Eyewitness Accounts:
Passenger Ankit Sharma (seat 12F) described the scene: “We hit what felt like an invisible wall. My coffee cup hit the ceiling, and people not wearing seatbelts were thrown from their seats. The screams were terrifying.”

Flight attendant Priya N. (name changed) shared: “This was the worst turbulence I’ve experienced in 7 years of flying. Our beverage cart flew up and hit the ceiling before crashing down.”

Viral Video Content:
Several passengers captured the chaos on mobile phones, showing:

• Luggage raining down from open overhead bins
• Oxygen masks deploying in some sections
• Flight attendants bracing themselves in galleys
• Medical personnel attending to bleeding passengers post-landing

Aircraft Status:
The involved aircraft has been temporarily grounded in Srinagar for complete inspection.

Preliminary checks show no structural damage but revealed:

• Multiple damaged overhead bin latches
• Ceiling panel dislodgement in rows 10-15
• Galley equipment damage

DGCA Investigation:
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has:

• Impounded the flight data and cockpit voice recorders
• Begun interviewing all crew members
• Requested weather radar data from IMD
• Initiated special audit of IndiGo’s turbulence response protocols

Airline Response:
IndiGo has issued the following statement:

• Full medical coverage for all affected passengers
• Counseling services available
• Compensation claims being processed
• Operational review of Delhi-Srinagar route underway

Meteorological Analysis:
While the flight path showed no significant weather systems, aviation experts note:

The Himalayan foothills are prone to mechanical turbulence June sees increased clear-air turbulence incidents Wind shear may have been a contributing factor

Passenger Safety Advisory:
Aviation safety experts emphasize:

• Keep seatbelts fastened at all times when seated
• Store heavy items under seats, not overhead
• Follow crew instructions immediately
• Avoid walking during meal service periods
• Choose seats over wings for most stable ride

Historical Context:
This marks the third significant turbulence incident on Indian domestic flights in 2024, following similar events on Mumbai-Goa and Bengaluru-Chennai routes earlier this year.

What’s Next:

1. Ongoing DGCA Investigation (Next 72 Hours)

• Preliminary Report Expected: June 17, 2024

• Focus Areas:

  • Cockpit voice recorder analysis

  • Weather data correlation

  • Crew response timeline

  • Seatbelt compliance audit

• Possible Outcomes:

  • New turbulence advisory for Jammu-Srinagar air corridor

  • Review of IndiGo’s safety protocols

2. Aircraft Inspection & Return to Service

• Current Status: VT-ITK grounded at SXR

• Inspection Process:

  • Structural integrity tests (48 hrs)

  • Avionics system diagnostics

  • Cabin equipment replacement

• Projected Return: June 19 if no damage found

3. Passenger Compensation Process

• Timeline: Claims processing begins June 16

• Compensation Structure:

  Injury Type	Compensation Range
  Minor injuries	₹50,000-1,00,000
  Fractures	₹2-5 lakh
  Spinal/Hospitalized	₹5-20 lakh

• Documentation Required:

  • Medical reports

  • Boarding pass copy

  • Treatment invoices

4. Medical Follow-ups (Next 30 Days)

• Critical Cases: 3 passengers under neuro observation

• Airline Responsibility:

  • Covering all related medical costs

  • Providing rehabilitation support

  • Psychological counseling sessions

5. Operational Changes by IndiGo

• Immediate Actions (From June 16):

  • Additional crew briefing for DEL-SXR flights

  • Revised meal service timing

  • Double-checking seatbelt compliance

• Long-term Measures:

  • Installation of advanced turbulence detection systems

  • Crew training enhancements (Q3 2024)

DGCA preliminary report expected within 48 hours

IndiGo operational review to be completed by June 18

Some injured passengers may require extended hospitalization

For Affected Passengers:
IndiGo has established a dedicated helpline (+91 124 626 1205) for:

Medical assistance coordination

Compensation inquiries

Alternate travel arrangements

Aviation Safety Update:
The incident has renewed calls for:

Mandatory seatbelt usage throughout flights

Enhanced turbulence detection systems

Crew training improvements

Passenger awareness campaigns

This story is developing. Refresh for live updates.