Air India probe flags hydraulic loss, pilot drug test

An Air India flight lost altitude suddenly during a flight from Phuket to Mumbai, injuring 24 people before stabilizing and landing safely on August 4. The Airbus A320, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew, experienced a temporary loss of hydraulic systems, according to Indian investigators. The aircraft encountered a loss of three hydraulic systems, causing the autopilot to disengage and triggering a two-second stall warning.

The loss of altitude resulted in the flight gaining 372 ft and falling by 292 ft before recovering to normal operation. The pilot in command tested positive for psychoactive substances in the confirmatory drug test, which is considered a serious concern. Following the incident, India's aviation ministry is considering tighter screening rules for psychoactive substances.

India Airline has also ordered a mandatory one-time drug screening of all its pilots. This is the latest challenge for Air India, which has struggled to turn around the carrier after a series of setbacks, including the crash of Flight 171 in June 2025 that killed all but one of the 242 people on board.