Air India probe flags hydraulic loss, pilot drug test
NEW DELHI: An Air India flight that plunged last month, injuring passengers, suffered a temporary loss of hydraulic systems, but its pilot tested “non-negative” for psychoactive substances, Indian investigators said Friday.
An Air India flight experienced a temporary loss of hydraulic systems during its August 4th flight from Phuket, Thailand, to New Delhi, injuring 24 passengers and crew before safely landing, according to Indian investigators. The Airbus A320, carrying 137 people, lost altitude suddenly, with the flight-control system detecting the loss of three hydraulic systems for several seconds.
The aircraft initially rose and then plummeted before stabilizing and returning to normal operation. However, the pilot in command tested positive for psychoactive substances, raising serious concerns. The investigation, flagged as a Serious Incident by India's civil aviation ministry, is being assisted by Airbus and France's BEA.
The incident adds to Air India's challenges, following the fatal crash of Flight 171 in June 2025, which killed 262 people. The airline has implemented stricter drug screening for its pilots following the incident.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- 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
