Hydraulic pressure, autopilot disconnect: Turbulence-hit Air India Phuket-Delhi flight logged 9 warnings in a minute
Air India Flight Faces Hydraulic Pressure and Autopilot Disconnect During Turbulence
Multiple System Warnings Logged on Phuket-Delhi Route
Bharatmorningnews.com – An Air India Airbus A320 aircraft, bearing registration VT-EXO, encountered severe turbulence on August 4 during its journey from Phuket to Delhi. The incident caused injuries to 24 people, including 20 passengers and four crew members. A post-flight Centralised Fault Display System record revealed that the aircraft experienced a sudden altitude loss of approximately 300 feet during the disturbance.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) classified the event as serious and launched a thorough investigation. Flight data from Flightradar24 shows the plane was cruising at 36,160 feet when an altitude anomaly occurred at 9:33am IST. Following this disturbance, the aircraft descended to roughly 35,800 feet, marking a drop of about 360 feet.
Nine Critical Warnings Within One Minute
At 9:32am IST, shortly after the aircraft passed over the Odisha coastline following its journey across the Bay of Bengal, nine distinct warning messages appeared within a single minute. These alerts pointed to pressure reductions across the Green, Blue, and Yellow hydraulic systems in various configurations. Additional notifications revealed diminished reservoir levels in both the Yellow and Blue systems, alongside an autopilot disconnection and an elevator flight-control malfunction.
Aircraft hydraulic systems utilize pressurized fluid to power and control substantial mechanical components. The pressure fluctuations observed across different system combinations within that brief timeframe suggest a transient occurrence rather than a persistent mechanical failure. Such temporary events—like abrupt vertical movements or rapid altitude changes—can momentarily shift fluid within hydraulic reservoirs.
Two emergency-exit door sensor alerts followed at 9:33am and 9:35am. For the subsequent 43 minutes, no further warnings related to hydraulic systems or the elevator were logged. An engine anti-ice fault emerged at 10:16am, with another autopilot disconnection occurring at 10:52am. This second disconnection differed from the initial one, as it was not accompanied by hydraulic warnings. The log offers no explanation for why the autopilot disconnected.
Pilot’s Drug Screening Returns Positive Result
The pilot’s initial post-flight drug screening yielded a “non-negative” result, indicating the sample required additional analysis. Subsequent confirmatory testing confirmed the presence of cannabis.
Cockpit Crew Recounts the Incident
According to two individuals acquainted with the pilot’s statement to the AAIB, the commander had rested for 30 to 35 minutes during the journey. He then visited the washroom before positioning himself behind the first officer. While conversing about the air conditioning system when the altitude disturbance happened, the pilot was thrown onto the cockpit floor.
The first officer maintained control of the aircraft, with the commander serving as pilot monitoring. A cabin crew member occupying the observer seat—designated for a departing pilot—assisted the commander in regaining his position. This represents the most comprehensive account yet provided by cockpit personnel regarding events aboard flight AI2379.
The complete timeline of cockpit activities could not be independently verified through the pilots’ testimonies to investigators.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the hydraulic pressure warnings on the Air India flight?
The hydraulic pressure warnings were likely caused by abrupt vertical movements and rapid altitude changes during severe turbulence. These temporary events can momentarily shift fluid within hydraulic reservoirs, causing pressure fluctuations across the Green, Blue, and Yellow systems.
How many people were injured on the Phuket-Delhi flight?
A total of 24 individuals sustained injuries, comprising 20 passengers and four crew members. The injuries were a result of the aircraft encountering significant turbulence at cruising altitude.
What does the autopilot disconnect indicate?
An autopilot disconnect means the automatic flight control system disengaged, requiring pilots to manually control the aircraft. In this incident, two autopilot disconnections were recorded—one accompanied by hydraulic warnings and another without.
Was the pilot under the influence during the flight?
The pilot’s initial post-flight drug screening yielded a “non-negative” result, and subsequent confirmatory testing confirmed the presence of cannabis in the sample.