Air India flight's hydraulic systems failed for 4 seconds during turbulence-hit journey; pilot tests positive for marijuana

An Air India flight from Thailand's Phuket to Delhi experienced a severe incident on August 4, dropping 300 feet and injuring 24 people. A preliminary report from Airbus revealed that all three hydraulic systems on flight AI2379 failed for four seconds during cruise. This failure left the aircraft without elevators and ailerons, causing a sudden loss of altitude. The co-pilot's control inputs initially did not respond until hydraulic pressure returned, allowing the flight controls to recover. The autopilot disconnected during the event. The root cause of the hydraulic failure is still under investigation.

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The hydraulics then recovered after the brief problem, it said, adding that the root cause of the issue is still unknown.

Airbus has requested more detailed pilot reports from Air India to conduct a thorough analysis of the incident. The aircraft manufacturer is also assisting the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) with its probe. The incident has been classified as serious, and the pilots have been taken off duty pending the investigation's outcome. The airframe's structural integrity is also being assessed.

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Airbus has asked Air India to provide more detailed pilot reports from the reported event, clarifying what was observed.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, the pilot-in-command of the flight tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test. This discovery came after an initial screening indicated a non-negative result. The flight, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, had landed safely in Delhi despite the earlier loss of altitude. The pilot's positive drug test adds a new dimension to the ongoing investigation into the serious incident.

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The pilot in question has tested positive in the confirmatory test. He has tested positive for Marijuana.