An Air India Airbus A320 that dropped about 300 feet earlier this month, injuring 24 people, briefly lost key flight controls after registering losses in all three hydraulic systems, according to a preliminary Airbus analysis.
The incident occurred on August 4 on Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi. The aircraft's elevators and ailerons, which control its pitch and roll, were unavailable for approximately four seconds. During this period, the plane pitched upward, and the first officer's nose-down input received no direct response before hydraulic systems recovered.
The flight's captain tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test. However, no link between this test result and the altitude loss has been established to date. Indian authorities have classified the event as a serious incident, and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is investigating.
Air India began mandatory substance testing for all pilots on Thursday, according to an internal memo. The airline stated this initiative goes beyond regulatory requirements to uphold safety standards and provide reassurance.