Air India Flight Lost Controls for 4 Seconds Amid Turbulence
An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi experienced a four-second loss of control due to hydraulic system failure during turbulence. The incident injured 20 passengers and four crew members.
Key takeaways
- An Air India flight experienced a four-second loss of control due to hydraulic system failure after dropping 300 feet.
- Twenty passengers and four crew members were injured in the incident.
- The aircraft's pilot-in-command tested positive for marijuana following the flight.
- Airbus is investigating the incident and has requested more information from Air India.
An Air India flight en route from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi experienced a critical four-second loss of control. This occurred when all three hydraulic systems briefly failed, rendering the aircraft's elevators and ailerons inoperable.
What Happened
Flight AI2379 dropped approximately 300 feet during its cruise phase on August 4. A preliminary report from Airbus indicates that the loss of hydraulic pressure led to the failure of flight-control actuators. During this interval, the co-pilot's attempts to control the aircraft's pitch were initially unsuccessful. The autopilot disconnected, and the aircraft's pitch changed. Control was regained when hydraulic pressure returned, allowing the flight controls to respond to the co-pilot's input.
The incident, which involved 137 passengers and eight crew members, resulted in injuries to 20 passengers and four crew members. The aircraft landed safely in Delhi following the event. The root cause of the hydraulic system failure remains undetermined.
Background
In a separate development following the incident, the pilot-in-command of the flight tested positive for marijuana in a post-flight drug screening. This finding was confirmed by officials familiar with the investigation.
Both pilots have been taken off active duty pending a probe into the incident, which has been classified as serious by aviation authorities. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has initiated an investigation, with Airbus providing assistance.
Key Facts
- An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi experienced a loss of control for four seconds.
- This was due to a brief failure of all three hydraulic systems.
- During the event, the aircraft dropped 300 feet.
- Twenty passengers and four crew members sustained injuries.
- The aircraft's pilot-in-command tested positive for marijuana in a post-flight screening.
Airbus is seeking further details from Air India regarding pilot reports and observations. The aircraft manufacturer stated that a comprehensive analysis is required, considering potential impacts on the airframe due to the sudden movement.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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