Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight Faced Triple Hydraulic Failures Before 300-Ft Altitude Drop: Report

New Delhi: The Air India Airbus A320 that suddenly lost around 300 feet in altitude during a Phuket-Delhi flight on August 4 suffered a series of technical glitches, including triple hydraulic-system failures and an autopilot disconnection, according to sources cited in reports.

The aircraft, identified as VT-EXO and operating flight AI2379, was cruising towards Delhi when the autopilot reportedly disconnected. The co-pilot then took manual control of the aircraft. Soon after, a flight-control stall warning appeared, while several indicator switches briefly went off amid multiple technical and mechanical glitches.

The aircraft also encountered turbulence around the same time. However, investigators are examining whether the technical failures, rather than turbulence alone, contributed to the sudden loss of altitude.

Triple Hydraulic-System Failure Under Probe

Sources said the aircraft suffered failures involving all three of its hydraulic systems. Hydraulic systems are crucial to several aircraft functions, including flight controls.

The sequence and possible connection between these failures and the aircraft's sudden descent will be a key part of the investigation. A triple hydraulic failure is considered an unusual occurrence and investigators will examine the aircraft's flight-data and cockpit recordings to establish exactly what happened.

The aircraft managed to stabilise after the incident and continued its journey to Delhi, where it landed safely.

17 People Injured

The sudden altitude loss resulted in injuries to at least 17 passengers and crew members. The aircraft was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, along with eight crew members.

The incident has been classified as a "serious incident" by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) conducting the probe under the International Civil Aviation Organization's Annex 13 framework.

Airbus, French Agency To Assist AAIB

The investigation is set to receive technical assistance from aircraft manufacturer Airbus and France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA).

Teams from Airbus and BEA are expected to assist the AAIB as investigators examine the aircraft's technical systems and recorded data to determine the precise cause of the altitude loss.

Pilot Intoxication Angle Also Under Probe

The latest technical findings come amid an earlier controversy surrounding an initial screening of the pilot-in-command for psychoactive substances.

Reports had said an initial screening returned a positive result, prompting a confirmatory test. However, the result has not been treated as conclusive, with the sample sent for further laboratory testing. Air India has also said it was not in a position to comment on the findings until the results are confirmed.

The ongoing AAIB investigation is expected to establish whether the altitude loss was linked to the reported technical failures, turbulence, crew actions, or a combination of factors.

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