Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Air India A320 Lost 300 Feet After Triple Hydraulic Failures
A big airplane was flying from Phuket to Delhi with lots of people on board.
Suddenly, the plane dropped about 300 feet, which is as tall as a very tall building.
The plane had many problems at the same time: all three of its hydraulic systems failed, the autopilot turned itself off, and warning lights flashed.
The co-pilot grabbed the controls and flew the plane by hand.
The plane also shook from turbulence.
Luckily, the pilots managed to fix the problems and the plane landed safely in Delhi.
But 17 people on the plane were hurt, some with serious back and neck injuries.
Experts, including people from the company that made the plane, are now investigating what went wrong.
They also tested the pilots to make sure they were not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The results of those tests are still being checked in a laboratory.
Air India flight AI2379, an Airbus A320 (VT-EXO) flying from Phuket to Delhi, suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude on August 4.
The aircraft suffered failures in all three hydraulic systems, an autopilot disconnection, a flight-control stall warning, and turbulence, according to PTI sources.
The co-pilot manually regained control after the autopilot disconnected; Captain Sam Thomas said the pilot-in-command ordered the nose down near Jharsuguda in Odisha to stabilize the plane.
At least 17 passengers and crew were injured among the 137 passengers (including three infants) and eight crew members on board; two cabin crew were admitted to Fortis hospital with spinal injuries.
The DGCA classified the event as a 'serious incident,' and the AAIB is investigating under ICAO Annex 13 with Airbus and France's BEA assisting, while both pilots await confirmatory substance test results.
- Who
- Air India flight AI2379 (Airbus A320, registration VT-EXO) carrying 137 passengers and 8 crew members, investigated by India's AAIB with assistance from Airbus and France's BEA.
- What
- The aircraft suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude after failures in all three hydraulic systems, an autopilot disconnection, and a flight-control stall warning; at least 17 people were injured.
- When
- August 4; Airbus and BEA teams were expected to join the probe from Tuesday, August 11.
- Where
- Mid-flight en route from Phuket to Delhi; the aircraft was entering Jharsuguda in Odisha around 10:30 pm when the issue was recognized and landed safely in Delhi.
- Why
- Investigators are examining whether multiple technical and mechanical failures, rather than turbulence alone, caused the sudden loss of altitude.
Concern Over Pilot Screening Result
Technical Failure Findings
Cause of the 300-foot altitude drop
Concern Over Pilot Screening Result
Initial reports and Air India's first statement attributed the incident to in-flight turbulence that struck without warning.
Technical Failure Findings
Evidence now points to multiple technical failures — triple hydraulic system failures and autopilot disconnection — with Captain Sam Thomas saying the pilot-in-command deliberately pushed the nose down about 300 feet to stabilize the aircraft.
Pilot psychoactive substance screening
Concern Over Pilot Screening Result
A preliminary screening of the pilot-in-command reportedly returned a 'not negative' result, and both pilots were taken off the roster by the DGCA, raising questions about possible impairment.
Technical Failure Findings
The result is not conclusive; samples were sent for confirmatory laboratory testing, and the Airline Pilots' Association of India noted that common over-the-counter medicines can trigger non-negative screenings.
- Flight
- AI2379
- Aircraft
- Airbus A320, registration VT-EXO
- Route
- Phuket to Delhi
- Incident date
- August 4
- Altitude lost
- Around 300 feet
- On board
- 137 passengers (including 3 infants) and 8 crew members
- Injuries
- At least 17 people; two cabin crew admitted to Fortis hospital with spinal injuries
- Investigation
- AAIB under ICAO Annex 13, with Airbus and France's BEA assisting
Sources
Air India A320 lost 300 ft after triple Hydraulic failures, autopilot glitch, claims report
Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight Faced Triple Hydraulic Failures Before 300-Ft Altitude Drop: Report
Air India Phuket Delhi flight that plunged 300 ft midair suffered glitches, triple hydraulic failures
Not pilot intoxication? Not turbulence? Why did Air India Phuket-Delhi flight plunge 300 feet?
