Odisha-born Scuba Diver Priyadarshee Panigrahi explores sunken TriStar wreck in Red Sea
Jharsuguda: Dubai-based prominent Non-Resident Odia, senior business management professional and noted Odisha-born scuba diver Priyadarshee Panigrahi has added another milestone to his international underwater explorations by successfully diving the submerged Lockheed L-1011 TriStar passenger aircraft in Jordan’s Red Sea, one of the world’s most unusual underwater aircraft wrecks, last Sunday.
The 300 seater50-metre-long aircraft with a 50-metre wingspan, which entered commercial service in 1983, now rests between 18 and 28 metres (59–92 feet) beneath the Red Sea off Aqaba, Jordan’s only coastal city. It was deliberately sunk in August 2019, after the end of its service life, to create an artificial reef and marine habitat, and has since become one of the region’s most sought-after wreck dives. Today, schools of fish move through its cabin and cockpit, while corals and marine life transform the aircraft into a thriving underwater ecosystem.
Panigrahi descended to 94 feet (28.7 metres) beneath the aircraft’s rear wings, making it his deepest wreck penetration dive to date. The highlight of the expedition was not the depth itself, but the rare opportunity to explore the interior of a full-sized passenger aircraft resting on the seabed.
Swimming through the submerged passenger cabins, he navigated the aisles of the once-flying airliner, examined the cockpit, and exited through the aircraft’s doors. The most thrilling moment came when he entered the rear fuselage and emerged through the TriStar’s distinctive tail-mounted third engine, an exit route possible because of the aircraft’s unique S-duct design, making it one of the most unusual underwater experiences available anywhere in the world.
Priyadarshee said “This wasn’t just another wreck dive. It was like travelling through aviation history beneath the sea. One moment you are in the open sea and the next you are between the aisles of a full-sized passenger aircraft. Swimming through the passenger aircraft, which would have normally flown at 30,000 to 35,000 feet above planet Earth and is now resting on the seabed, is a surreal experience. The scale of the TriStar is breathtaking, and seeing marine life gradually reclaiming the aircraft makes it even more special. It was an unforgettable dive.”
The Lockheed TriStar has rapidly become one of the Red Sea’s signature wreck attractions, drawing divers from around the world. Yet relatively few Indian recreational divers have documented an exploration of its interior, making this expedition particularly noteworthy.
Unlike an open-water reef dive, exploring the interior of the Lockheed TriStar involves swimming through a confined overhead environment where space is limited and there is no direct ascent to the surface. Maintaining precise buoyancy is essential to avoid contact with the aircraft and to ensure safe movement through the wreck. Only advanced open water divers are allowed to penetrate the wreck.
Over the years, Priyadarshee has undertaken dives across internationally renowned destinations in Asia, Africa and Europe, including Maldives, Malaysia, Indonesia South Africa, Tanzania (Zanzibar), Cyprus etc., building a diverse portfolio of underwater explorations and further strengthening his reputation as one of the prominent Odia underwater adventure enthusiasts on the global stage.
Priyadarshee’s passion for scuba diving is also shared within his family. He and his daughter, Tisya Panigrahi, are both Advanced Open Water Divers, making them among India’s few father-daughter advanced scuba diving duos. Together, they have explored internationally renowned dive sitesreflecting a shared passion for adventure, underwater exploration and marine conservation advocacy.
Priyadarshee also happens to be the son of late Sriballav Panigrahi, former Cabinet Minister and three-time Member of Parliament, and educationist late Sunanda Panigrahi. He is also the nephew of late Dr. Raseswari Panigrahi, noted gynecologist and former MLA from Sambalpur.
