Air India probe flags hydraulic loss, pilot drug test
A preliminary report found the flight-control system briefly lost three hydraulic systems before returning to normal, while the pilot tested positive for psychoactive substances.
An Air India flight from Phuket to Mumbai lost altitude unexpectedly on August 4, injuring 24 people before stabilizing and landing safely, according to Indian investigators. The Airbus A320 carried 137 passengers and eight crew members. The flight-control system detected a loss of three hydraulic systems, causing the autopilot to disengage and triggering a stall warning.
Both Airbus and France's civil aviation safety agency are assisting the investigation. Preliminary report revealed that the pilot in command tested positive for psychoactive substances during a confirmatory drug test, raising serious concerns. In response to the incident, India's aviation ministry is considering tighter screening rules for psychoactive substances, and Air India has ordered mandatory drug screening for all its pilots.
This investigation adds to the challenges facing Air India, which has faced setbacks since the crash of Flight 171 in June 2025, killing 242 people.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Air India probe flags hydraulic loss, pilot drug test freemalaysiatoday.com
- AAIB flags Air India pilot’s positive psychoactive substance test after Phuket flight altitude scare thehindu.com
- Investigation into Air India flight plunge highlights triple hydraulic failure and pilot drug test euronews.com
- ‘Safety remains highest priority’: Air India after Delhi-bound flight's pilot tests ‘non-negative’ for drug use hindustantimes.com
- Air India Phuket-Delhi incident: AAIB initial report flags hydraulic failure, pilot’s drug test indianexpress.com
- Air India probe flags hydraulic loss, pilot drug test channelnewsasia.com
