A passenger aboard SpiceJet flight SG-385 from Delhi to Srinagar has claimed the aircraft experienced a sudden and dramatic drop mid-air while flying over the Banihal Pass. A video shared by the passenger, which quickly went viral on social media, shows visibly panicked passengers and raised concerns about flight safety.
The passenger alleged that the plane “plunged several hundred metres” during the descent, sparking moments of chaos in the cabin.
However, SpiceJet has refuted the claim, attributing the incident to routine turbulence caused by monsoon weather conditions. In an official statement, the airline said, “The July 12 flight encountered a brief patch of turbulence due to prevailing monsoon weather conditions. At no point did the aircraft ‘plunge,’ nor did any crew member sustain any injury. The flight landed safely in Srinagar.”
The airline further clarified that the turbulence occurred during the plane’s descent phase. “The seat belt sign was on, and the flight crew had made announcements instructing passengers to remain seated and fasten their seat belts,” the statement said.
There were no reported injuries or emergency actions taken during the flight, which landed in Srinagar as scheduled.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.
