Air India Flight’s 300-Feet Drop Triggers Probe; Airbus, BEA To Assist Investigation Amid Alleged Mid-Air Snags

French aircraft accident investigation agency BEA and European aircraft manufacturer Airbus will send teams to India to assist the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in its probe into the serious incident involving an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight that suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude during cruise last week, news agency PTI quoted sources as saying.

The teams are expected to arrive in the national capital on Tuesday, the report mentioned.

The incident involved Air India flight AI2379, operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft with registration VT-EXO, which was flying from Phuket to Delhi on August 4.

The aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude of approximately 300 feet while cruising before stabilising and subsequently landing

safely in Delhi.

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The incident is being investigated by the AAIB under Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which pertains to aircraft accident and incident investigations.

Multiple Technical Glitches Reported During Flight

According to sources cited by PTI, the aircraft experienced multiple technical and mechanical glitches during the flight, including the disconnection of the autopilot.

Soon after the co-pilot manually regained control of the aircraft, a flight-control stall message appeared.

Various indicator switches also briefly went off, while the aircraft encountered multiple technical issues during the flight.

The aircraft experienced severe mid-air turbulence during the incident.

PTI sources further said the aircraft suffered triple hydraulic failures. Hydraulic systems use pressurised fluid to operate mechanical components and are important for flight control and other functions.

After the crew managed to sort out the problems, the aircraft continued its journey and landed safely in Delhi.

Airbus To Provide Technical Assistance

Airbus confirmed on Monday that it was dispatching a team of specialists to assist with the investigation.

“In accordance with ICAO Annex 13, Airbus is providing technical assistance to the relevant investigating authorities. We are actively supporting the airline and will provide further information as it becomes available. A team of specialists is being dispatched to assist with the investigation,” an Airbus spokesperson said in a statement.

The company’s specialists will assist the relevant investigating authorities as the AAIB examines the circumstances surrounding the aircraft’s sudden loss of altitude and the technical problems reported during the flight.

The BEA is also joining the investigation.

Since the Airbus A320 involved in the incident was manufactured in France, the French aircraft accident investigation agency is expected to assist in the probe.

Air India Aircraft’s Flight Recorders Secured

The government opened a probe into the incident on August 4, the same day the aircraft lost altitude.

Authorities secured the aircraft’s Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder for examination as part of the investigation.

The AAIB’s probe is being conducted in accordance with ICAO Annex 13.

The investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the serious incident, including the reported altitude loss, turbulence and technical and mechanical glitches experienced by the aircraft.

Air India Passengers, Crew Reported Injured

The incident resulted in injuries to passengers and members of the cabin crew.

Sources cited by PTI said at least 17 people were injured in the incident.

The Civil Aviation Ministry, in its August 9 statement, said injuries were reported to a few passengers and cabin crew members but did not specify the total number of injured people.

The aircraft was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members. The crew comprised two pilots and six cabin crew members.

Air India Pilots Underwent Mandatory Substance Screening

Both flight crew members underwent mandatory psychoactive substance screening following the incident, in accordance with standard operating procedures.

The Civil Aviation Ministry said the pilot-in-command’s initial screening indicated that the result required further analysis.

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His sample was subsequently sent to a designated laboratory for confirmatory testing.

The result of the confirmatory testing was awaited.

Pending the completion of the investigation and testing process, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) took both flight crew members off the roster.

The ministry said further action would be based on the findings of the investigation and the confirmatory test results.

Air India said it was aware that a post-flight screening test had been conducted on the pilots in accordance with applicable protocols.

However, the airline said the test results had not been shared with it and that it was therefore not in a position to comment on any findings.

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The airline also said it conducts regular drug testing of crew members in compliance with civil aviation regulations, independent of any specific flight or operational incident.

Air India Probe To Examine Full Sequence Of Events

The AAIB investigation is now set to receive technical assistance from both Airbus and France’s BEA.

Investigators were examining the aircraft’s recorded data and other evidence, alongside reports of turbulence, autopilot disconnection, a flight-control stall message, indicator switches briefly going off, multiple technical glitches and triple hydraulic failures.

The final findings, along with the pending confirmatory testing of the pilot-in-command, will determine the further course of action in the case.

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