Air India A320 plunge linked to hydraulic system failure, Airbus assessment suggests

On August 4, Air India Flight A320 experienced a sudden 300-foot drop while en route from Phuket to Delhi. The incident occurred at an altitude of approximately 36,000 feet over Odisha. Initially attributed to severe turbulence, investigators are now focusing on hydraulic system failures, as revealed by the digital flight data recorder data analyzed by Airbus.

The plane's three independent hydraulic systems—green, blue, and yellow—failed in rapid succession, causing a loss of control over elevators and ailerons for about four seconds. During this period, the aircraft's nose rose, and the autopilot disengaged. The first officer, who was flying the plane, attempted to lower the nose, but the control surfaces were unresponsive due to lost hydraulic power.

However, the systems recovered within seconds, and the aircraft regained control. Passengers and crew were injured when the sudden pitch-up caused them to be thrown upward. The pilot-in-command tested positive for marijuana, but it's unlikely that his drug use directly contributed to the incident. Airbus is assisting the investigation, along with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and French agency BEA.

They haven't identified the root cause of the hydraulic failure but asked Air India to conduct maintenance tests and inspections, including checks of pressure switches, transducers, wiring, and flight-control systems. The airline must provide maintenance records from the previous month. Airbus emphasized that the investigation will require a detailed analysis of both aircraft systems and structural integrity, as the sudden movement could have affected the airframe. Additional inspections may be needed based on the findings.