2 weeks ago
Air India Flight Lost 300 Feet After Triple Hydraulic Failure
An Air India airplane was flying from Phuket in Thailand to Delhi in India when something went wrong.
All three of the plane's backup systems that help move the wings and tail stopped working at almost the same time.
For about four seconds, the pilots could not steer the plane in the normal way.
The plane suddenly dropped about 300 feet, which is as tall as a very tall building.
The autopilot turned off, and the co-pilot pushed the controls, but the plane did not answer right away.
A few seconds later, the systems started working again, and the pilots landed everyone safely in Delhi.
About 24 passengers and crew members got hurt when the plane dropped suddenly.
The company that made the plane, Airbus, is studying what happened but does not know yet why the systems failed.
Investigators are also looking into news that the captain tested positive for a banned drug, and the airline has decided to test all of its pilots.
Airbus's preliminary analysis of flight data found all three hydraulic systems — Green, Blue and Yellow — lost pressure within about a second of each other on August 4, leaving elevator and aileron controls unresponsive for about four seconds.
Flight AI2379, an Airbus A320neo carrying 145 people, suddenly dropped about 300 feet during cruise, injuring at least 24 people — 20 passengers and four cabin crew members per the AAIB — some reportedly with spinal injuries.
Autopilot 2 disconnected at around 04:02:46 UTC; the first officer applied a full nose-down input with no direct response before all three systems recovered about seven seconds after the first failure and the plane landed safely in Delhi.
The root cause has not been established; Airbus has asked Air India to test the hydraulic systems, inspect pressure switches and transducers, provide maintenance records from the month before the incident, and conduct a structural assessment after recorded load exceedances.
The pilot-in-command tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test, prompting Air India to begin mandatory psychoactive substance screening of its more than 5,000 pilots, while both pilots remain de-rostered pending the investigation.
- Who
- The crew and 137 passengers of Air India flight AI2379; the incident is being investigated by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) with technical assistance from Airbus and France's BEA.
- What
- All three hydraulic systems (Green, Blue and Yellow) lost pressure in quick succession, disabling elevator and aileron controls for about four seconds and causing a sudden drop of about 300 feet.
- Where
- En route from Phuket to Delhi during the cruise phase; the aircraft later landed safely in Delhi.
- When
- August 4, 2026; the first hydraulic failure was recorded at about 04:02:44 UTC (09:32:44 IST).
- Why
- The root cause is still under investigation; possibilities include an actual mechanical failure or faulty sensors, wiring or electrical issues generating misleading warnings in the cockpit.
Pilot's Account
Crew and Investigators' Concerns
Captain's Positive Drug Test
Pilot's Account
The pilot-in-command told investigators he had been prescribed sleeping pills because of personal problems and claimed the medication caused his positive test for marijuana.
Crew and Investigators' Concerns
A confirmatory test detected marijuana, and cabin crew members reportedly complained that he appeared under the influence of psychoactive substances, repeatedly sat on the cockpit floor and attempted to smoke before crew intervened.
Initial Cause Attribution
Pilot's Account
Air India initially attributed the incident to severe turbulence encountered during the flight.
Crew and Investigators' Concerns
Airbus's preliminary analysis indicates a triple hydraulic failure that disabled flight controls for about four seconds; the airline was asked to conduct operational tests, inspect systems and sensors and provide maintenance records while the root cause remains unestablished.
Key facts
- Airline
- Air India
- Flight number
- AI2379
- Aircraft
- Airbus A320neo, registered VT-EXO
- Route
- Phuket to Delhi
- Incident time
- August 4, 2026, around 04:02:44 UTC (09:32:44 IST)
- People on board
- 145 (137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members)
- Injuries
- At least 24 (20 passengers and four cabin crew members, per AAIB)
- Hydraulic systems affected
- Green, Blue and Yellow; control surfaces lost for about four seconds
Quotes
Air India spokesperson
Official from Air India
“"This includes examination of the aircraft and its systems, recorded flight data, relevant operational and maintenance records, medical information, and interviews with persons concerned. All material evidence will be examined in its entirety before any conclusions are drawn."”
rediff.com
“For about four seconds, the pilots were unable to use the elevators and ailerons located on the wings and tail of the plane to control its movement, and there was "no direct response"”
wionews.com
NDTV Profit
Indian news outlet reporting on the incident
“The aircraft's elevators and ailerons, which control pitch and roll, temporarily lost normal hydraulic control, while spoiler functions were also affected during the failure,”
thehansindia.com
Sources
'Hydraulic failure, sudden altitude drop': Airbus analysis on Air India Phuket flight
AIs Phuket-Delhi plane faced multiple hydraulic failures; lost flight controls for 4 seconds: Airbus analysis
Air India Phuket-Delhi flight lost flight controls for 4 seconds
Airbus Finds Rare Triple Hydraulic Failure On Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight, Pilots Lost Control For 4 Seconds
Air India Phuket-Delhi plane briefly lost key flight controls reveals Airbus analysis
Air India Flight Lost 300 Ft After Triple Hydraulic Failure, Flight Controls Hit For 4 Seconds: Probe
Air India Phuket Delhi flight lost control for 4 secs before plunging 300 ft, reveal Airbus findings
Air India flight lost 300 feet after triple hydraulic failure, Airbus probe reveals
Airbus analysis shows Air India Phuket-Delhi A320 flight briefly lost key controls during 300-foot drop
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