3 weeks ago
Air India Flight AI-2379 Altitude Drop Prompts AAIB Investigation
An airplane flying from Phuket to Delhi suddenly dropped about 300 feet in the sky.
That is like a very big bump while riding in a car.
The plane still landed safely in Delhi, but 17 people on board got hurt.
Now, special investigators called the AAIB are trying to find out what happened.
The two pilots have been asked to stay away from flying while the investigation goes on.
A health check on the captain needs another test, but no final answer is ready yet.
At first, the airline said the drop was probably caused by bad weather.
Later, some people thought there might have been a small problem with the plane's equipment.
Experts are also asking whether the crew reacted the right way.
We will have to wait for the investigation to know the real reason.
Air India flight AI-2379, flying from Phuket to Delhi, suddenly lost about 300 feet of altitude during cruise on August 4.
The Airbus A320 landed safely in Delhi, but 17 people, including passengers and cabin crew, were reported injured.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has ordered the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to investigate the incident.
Both pilots have been taken off flying duty pending the probe; the captain's routine psychoactive-substance screening reportedly requires confirmatory testing, with the final result still awaited.
The cause is under question, as Air India initially described a turbulence-related event while a later report cited a suspected transient technical fault.
- Who
- Air India flight AI-2379's crew and passengers; India's Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are investigating.
- What
- The Airbus A320 suddenly lost about 300 feet of altitude during cruise, injuring 17 people and prompting an AAIB probe and the removal of both pilots from flying duty.
- Where
- In the air en route from Phuket to Delhi; the aircraft landed safely in Delhi.
- When
- August 4.
- Why
- The exact cause is under investigation; possibilities mentioned include a turbulence-related event and a suspected transient technical fault.
Airline's Initial Account
Later Reports and Expert Concerns
Cause of the sudden altitude loss
Airline's Initial Account
Air India's initial description referred to a turbulence-related event, suggesting weather was the cause.
Later Reports and Expert Concerns
A later report cited a suspected transient technical fault, and aviation experts have questioned the aircraft's handling, crew response, and passenger safety procedures.
Captain's psychoactive-substance screening
Airline's Initial Account
The screening was routine and the initial result should not be treated as a confirmed positive test; the final laboratory result is still awaited.
Later Reports and Expert Concerns
The routine screening reportedly required confirmatory testing, which has placed the captain under increased scrutiny while the investigation continues.
Key facts
- Flight
- AI-2379
- Airline
- Air India
- Aircraft
- Airbus A320
- Route
- Phuket to Delhi
- Altitude loss
- Approximately 300 feet
- Injuries
- 17 people (passengers and cabin crew)
- Investigating body
- Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
- Flight crew status
- Both pilots taken off flying duty pending the probe
Sources
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