New Delhi, August 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
An Air India Airbus A320neo operating a Phuket-Delhi flight temporarily lost normal control of major flight surfaces for about four seconds after abnormalities affected all three hydraulic systems, according to a preliminary Airbus assessment of the aircraft’s flight data.
The incident involving flight AI2379 occurred on August 4 and resulted in the aircraft losing about 300 feet of altitude. At least 24 passengers and crew members were injured in the incident, according to the report. The aircraft was carrying 145 people, including 137 passengers and eight crew members.
Analysis of the Digital Flight Data Recorder by Airbus showed that the aircraft’s elevators and ailerons temporarily lost normal hydraulic control, while spoiler functions were also affected.
During the approximately four-second period, the elevators and ailerons reportedly moved without pilot command as abnormalities developed across all three hydraulic systems.
The autopilot subsequently disconnected, and the co-pilot, who was flying the aircraft, pushed the side-stick forward after the aircraft is believed to have issued stall warnings.
However, because hydraulic power was temporarily unavailable, the control inputs did not immediately produce the expected nose-down movement. Once the hydraulic systems recovered seconds later, the inputs took effect, causing the aircraft to enter a sharp downward trajectory and throwing several passengers and cabin crew members upwards inside the aircraft.
The aircraft’s flight data was subsequently transmitted to Airbus’ AIRTAC technical support centre in Toulouse for analysis.
Separately, Air India began mandatory drug screening of all group pilots from August 13.
The report also said that the pilot-in-command of AI2379 subsequently tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory test.
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