Airbus, France’s BEA To Assist AAIB Probe Into Air India Flight’s 300-Foot Altitude Drop
France’s aircraft accident investigation agency BEA and European aircraft manufacturer Airbus will send teams to India to assist the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in its probe into a serious incident involving an Air India flight that suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude during cruise last week, PTI reported, citing sources.
The teams are expected to reach New Delhi on Tuesday.
The incident involved Air India flight AI2379, an Airbus A320 registered as VT-EXO, which was operating from Phuket to Delhi on August 4. During the flight, the aircraft suddenly lost approximately 300 feet of altitude before stabilising and continuing its journey. It later landed safely in Delhi.
The AAIB is investigating the incident under Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which sets out procedures for investigating aircraft accidents and serious incidents.
Multiple Technical Problems Reported
According to PTI sources, the aircraft encountered several technical and mechanical problems during the flight, including an unexpected disconnection of the autopilot.
The co-pilot reportedly took manual control of the aircraft after the autopilot disengaged. A flight-control stall warning then appeared, while several indicator switches briefly went off.
The aircraft also encountered severe turbulence during the incident. Sources further claimed that all three hydraulic systems experienced failures.
Hydraulic systems use pressurised fluid to operate critical aircraft components, including systems involved in flight control. The crew managed to address the reported problems and the aircraft subsequently continued to Delhi.
- Airbus To Send Technical Experts
- Airbus has confirmed that it will provide technical assistance to investigators.
“In accordance with ICAO Annex 13, Airbus is providing technical assistance to the relevant investigating authorities,” an Airbus spokesperson said. The company added that it was supporting the airline and would send a team of specialists to assist with the investigation.
The BEA is also expected to participate in the probe. Since the A320 involved was manufactured in France, the French investigation agency is assisting the Indian authorities as part of the ICAO framework.
Flight Recorders Secured
The government initiated an investigation on August 4, the day of the incident. Investigators have secured the aircraft’s Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), which are expected to provide crucial information about what happened during the flight.
The AAIB will examine the recorded data along with aircraft systems, maintenance records, crew actions and other available evidence to establish the sequence of events.
17 Reportedly Injured
The incident also resulted in injuries to passengers and crew members.
PTI sources said at least 17 people were injured. However, the Civil Aviation Ministry, in a statement issued on August 9, said only that a few passengers and cabin crew members had sustained injuries without providing a specific figure.
The aircraft was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members. The crew consisted of two pilots and six cabin crew members.
Pilots Undergo Mandatory Drug Screening
Both pilots underwent mandatory psychoactive substance screening following the incident, as required under standard operating procedures.
The Civil Aviation Ministry said the initial screening of the pilot-in-command indicated that further analysis was required. The sample was subsequently sent to a designated laboratory for confirmatory testing, with the result still awaited.
Pending the investigation and testing process, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) removed both pilots from the roster.
The ministry said further action would depend on the findings of the investigation and the confirmatory test.
Air India confirmed that post-flight screening had been conducted on the pilots in accordance with applicable protocols. However, the airline said the test results had not been shared with it and that it could therefore not comment on the findings.
The airline added that its crew members undergo regular drug testing in accordance with civil aviation regulations, independently of individual flight incidents.
Probe To Examine Complete Sequence Of Events
With technical assistance from Airbus and the BEA, the AAIB will examine the full sequence of events surrounding the aircraft’s sudden altitude loss.
Investigators are expected to analyse flight recorder data and other evidence in light of reports of severe turbulence, autopilot disengagement, a flight-control stall message, temporary loss of indicator displays, multiple technical glitches and alleged triple hydraulic failures.
The final investigation findings, along with the pending confirmatory test of the pilot-in-command, will determine the next course of action.
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