Air India A320 briefly lost key flight controls during 300-foot drop, Airbus analysis shows
Flight Controls Failed Momentarily as Air India Jet Plunged 300 Feet
Technical Investigation Underway After August Incident
Bharatmorningnews.com – An Air India Airbus A320 experienced a sudden descent of approximately 300 feet earlier this month, resulting in injuries to 24 passengers and crew members. According to preliminary findings from Airbus that were examined by Reuters, the aircraft momentarily lost critical flight control functions following simultaneous failures across all three hydraulic systems.
The event took place on August 4 aboard flight AI2379, which was traveling from Phuket to Delhi. Despite the significant altitude reduction, the aircraft managed to land without further complications. Airbus explained in a formal response to Air India's assessment request that the elevators and ailerons—components responsible for managing pitch and roll—became unresponsive for roughly four seconds. During this interval, the aircraft pitched upward.
While the controls were offline, the first officer executed a complete nose-down command. However, Airbus noted there was "no direct response" from the flight-control surfaces until the hydraulic systems regained functionality within a matter of seconds. In its analysis, the manufacturer recommended that Air India perform comprehensive examinations of the aircraft's systems and sensors, while also supplying additional details regarding the occurrence. A definitive cause has yet to be determined.
Indian regulatory bodies have designated the event as a serious incident. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is currently leading the inquiry, receiving technical support from both Airbus and France's BEA.
Separately, the flight's captain received a positive result for marijuana in a confirmatory drug screening, according to a source knowledgeable about the situation. Investigators have not yet connected this finding to the altitude loss. Nevertheless, Air India initiated compulsory substance testing for every pilot on Thursday, as outlined in an internal memorandum.
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