Air India Pilot Terminated Following Incident on Phuket-Delhi Flight
Air India announced on Friday that it has dismissed the pilot of its flight from Phuket to Delhi, which faced sudden loss of altitude on August 4, resulting in injuries to 20 passengers and 4 crew members.
According to a preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the pilot tested positive for a psychoactive substance in a follow-up test. An Air India spokesperson emphasized the airline’s commitment to safety, stating that, in line with their zero-tolerance policy for safety breaches, the pilot’s employment was terminated immediately.
The AAIB report clarified that during the incident, the pilot was being monitored and was not in control of the aircraft at the time. The co-pilot, however, tested negative for any substances.
While the pilot’s positive test result raised concerns, the report did not find any links between the substance detected and the aircraft’s altitude loss. A thorough investigation into the technical aspects of the incident is still in progress. The AAIB also recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take necessary measures to prevent the misuse of psychoactive substances in aviation.
Flight Details and Technical Issues
The flight departed from Phuket, Thailand, at 7:11 AM IST without reporting any initial problems. However, at 9:10 AM, as it entered the Kolkata Flight Information Region, the aircraft experienced significant technical difficulties.
At 09:32 AM, the flight control system recognized a loss of the green hydraulic system, followed by a loss of the blue and yellow systems just seconds later. These hydraulic systems are essential for operating crucial components of the aircraft, including wheel brakes, steering, and landing gear.
The aircraft’s autopilot disengaged at the same time, and a warning signal alerted the crew. During the incident, the aircraft briefly climbed 372 feet before dropping 292 feet from its assigned cruising altitude of 36,000 feet. Fortunately, the blue hydraulic system was restored shortly after, followed by the other systems, allowing the flight to regain stability.
Air India has pledged to provide more updates as the investigation continues.
