On August 4, an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi experienced a sudden drop of 300 feet,injuring 20 passengers and four crew members. Preliminary findings from Airbus revealed that all three hydraulic systems on flight AI2379 failed momentarily,resulting in a loss of control over aircraft's elevators and ailerons for approximately four seconds .
The co-pilot attempted to regain control by applying full nose-down input, but aircraft initially did not respond . hydraulic systems subsequently recovered,allowing the flight to stabilize and land safely in Delhi. The incident has been classified as serious,prompting an investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Air India initially attributed altitude loss to turbulence, but the Airbus report indicates a more complex issue involving hydraulic pressure loss in the Green, Blue, and Yellow systems. This led to temporary disconnection of the autopilot and a pitch-up of aircraft. The investigation is ongoing, and Airbus is collaborating with the AAIB to analyze the incident further .
In light of the injuries sustained,the incident has escalated from a serious incident to an accident under aviation regulations. This classification triggers legal implications,including potential compensation for affected passengers under the Montreal Convention. Aviation expert Sanjay Lazar expressed concern over the airline's initial response,suggesting that focus on turbulence may have obscured the technical issues at play. He noted that Air India had communicated with Airbus on the day of incident,raising questions about transparency of the information shared with regulators and public.
As part of the investigation,both pilots underwent screenings for psychoactive substances. The pilot-in-command (PIC) tested positive for marijuana,according to government sources . This revelation has added another layer of scrutiny to the incident, with Lazar calling for accountability if the allegations are substantiated. The PIC reportedly disclosed to the AAIB that he had been prescribed medication for sleep difficulties, which he claimed affected his performance during the flight.
Following the incident, the pilots were off-rostered pending the outcome of the investigation. The AAIB's inquiry will examine not only the aircraft's systems but also the structural integrity of the airframe,given the sudden altitude change . Airbus has requested detailed reports from Air India regarding the pilots' observations during the flight.
The incident raises broader questions about aviation safety and the protocols that govern pilot health and performance. As investigations continue,the implications for Air India and the regulatory framework surrounding aviation incidents in India remain to be seen.
