Hydraulic systems failed, controls hit for 4 seconds on turbulence-hit Delhi-Phuket Air India flight
According to the Airbus report, the co-pilot of the flight AI2379 applied full nose-down input, but the controls initially did not respond.
An Airbus preliminary report found that three hydraulic systems on an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi suffered a brief failure, dropping the aircraft 300 feet and leaving it without elevators and ailerons for four seconds. The co-pilot of flight AI2379 applied full nose-down input, but the controls did not respond initially.
The hydraulics recovered after the brief problem. The root cause remains unknown, but the flight experienced a sudden loss of altitude during cruise, injuring 20 passengers and four crew members. Initially, Air India attributed the incident to turbulence, but Airbus asked for more detailed pilot reports. The aircraft manufacturer requested the airline provide additional information about what was observed during the event.
Airbus stated that the incident required a detailed analysis, considering both aircraft systems and structural integrity. The investigation is being conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), and the pilot-in-command tested positive for marijuana during a post-flight screening. The pilot claimed to have been experiencing sleep difficulty due to personal circumstances and was prescribed medication for it.
The pilot and the incident were classified as serious, and both pilots underwent a psychoactive substance screening after landing in Delhi.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 5 other outlets
- Air India Phuket-Delhi flight lost flight controls for 4 seconds gulfnews.com
- Air India jet briefly lost key controls during 300-foot drop dailytimes.com.pk
- Air India A320 briefly lost key flight controls during 300-foot drop freemalaysiatoday.com
- Air India A320 briefly lost key flight controls during 300-foot drop, Airbus analysis shows hindustantimes.com
- Air India flight lost control for 4 seconds before 300ft plunge: Report indianexpress.com
