Air India Horror (Img: X)
New Delhi: A shocking sequence of technical warnings has emerged from the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight that suddenly dropped around 300 feet during severe turbulence, leaving 24 passengers and crew members injured.
The post-flight Centralised Fault Display System (CFDS) log of flight AI2379 has revealed that the aircraft recorded nine warnings within just one minute, pointing towards issues related to hydraulic systems, flight controls and autopilot functions.
According to the flight data, the Airbus A320 aircraft issued warnings indicating low reservoir levels in the Yellow and Blue hydraulic systems. The alerts were followed by an autopilot disconnect warning and an elevator flight-control fault.
The incident involved Air India flight AI2379, which was operating from Phuket to Delhi on August 4. The aircraft, registered as VT-EXO, experienced a sudden altitude loss of nearly 300 feet during turbulence.
The turbulence left 20 passengers and four crew members injured. Following the incident, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) began a detailed probe into the circumstances surrounding the flight disruption.
Investigators are examining aircraft systems, flight data and cockpit information to determine what caused the sudden drop and the series of warnings.
The case also gained attention after the pilot’s initial post-flight drug screening was marked “non-negative”, requiring further confirmation. The confirmatory test later returned positive for cannabis, adding another angle to the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are continuing to analyse all factors, including technical alerts, weather conditions and operational aspects, before reaching any final conclusion.
