Air India flight suffered triple hydraulic failure as captain tests positive for psychoactive substance
An investigation into an Air India plane that suddenly lost altitude in August found the aircraft had a temporary triple hydraulic failure, while the captain tested positive for psychoactive substances. Air India has since ordered one-time drug tests for its pilots.
India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released a preliminary report into an incident involving Air India flight AI2379, which was travelling from Phuket, Thailand to New Delhi on 4 August. The Airbus A320, carrying 137 passengers, six cabin crew and two pilots, suddenly dropped in altitude while flying over Indian airspace, injuring 24 people on board.
Hydraulic systems failed briefly
According to the report, the aircraft experienced a triple hydraulic system failure, causing the autopilot to disengage and triggering a stall warning for two seconds. The plane first climbed 372 feet before dropping 292 feet, the report said, before the hydraulic systems recovered and the aircraft returned to normal operating condition.
Captain's drug test comes back non-negative
Following the incident, both pilots were tested for psychoactive substances. The captain's initial sample was found non-negative, prompting blood samples from both pilots to be sent for confirmatory laboratory testing. The captain's confirmatory test again came back non-negative, while the co-pilot tested negative in both rounds. The report described confirmed use of a psychoactive substance as a serious concern.
Air India has reportedly since introduced one-time drug testing for its pilots. The investigation is ongoing, with a full report expected to be published at a later date.
