{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Air India Flight Suffers Triple Hydraulic Failure at 36,000 Feet as Pilot Tests Non-Negative for Psychoactive Substance",
  "summary": "Air India flight AI-2379 from Phuket to Delhi experienced a mid-air crisis at 36,000 feet after all three hydraulic systems lost pressure. 24 people required medical care upon landing, while the pilot tested non-negative for psychoactive substances.",
  "content": "An Air India flight operating from Phuket to New Delhi faced a severe high-altitude technical emergency on August 4, 2026. The aircraft, an Airbus A320-251N carrying flight number AI-2379, suffered a sequential loss of pressure across all three of its hydraulic systems while cruising at 36,000 feet. The sudden system drop triggered automated disconnects and sharp altitude oscillations, injuring several passengers and crew members. Adding to the gravity of the incident, preliminary findings by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed that the pilot-in-command tested non-negative during a post-flight confirmatory test for psychoactive substances, raising sharp safety questions across the aviation domain.\n\nSequence of Events During the High-Altitude Emergency\nThe flight had departed Phuket bound for Delhi with 145 individuals on board, comprising 137 passengers, 6 cabin crew personnel, and 2 flight deck pilots. While maintaining its designated cruising altitude of FL360 (approximately 36,000 feet), the cockpit registered an unexpected pressure drop in the Green hydraulic system. Within seconds, the Blue and Yellow hydraulic networks also experienced pressure degradation. Because aircraft flight controls rely fundamentally on hydraulic power, this simultaneous triple failure posed an immediate danger to flight safety.\n\nThe pressure drop prompted the autopilot to disengage automatically, accompanied by a brief stall warning in the cockpit. Due to the disturbance in flight control dynamics, the aircraft underwent sudden altitude fluctuations. Flight parameters indicated that the aircraft climbed rapidly by 372 feet before dropping approximately 292 feet. Fortunately, all three hydraulic systems recovered within seconds, restoring normal flight control capabilities. The flight crew then proceeded to Delhi, landing the aircraft safely at its destination.\n\nCabin Impact and Medical Assistance at Delhi Airport\nAt the time of the sudden movement, the seat belt sign was switched off. As a consequence of the sharp violent jolts, multiple passengers and cabin crew members were thrown from their positions. Upon landing at Delhi Airport on August 4, medical teams evaluated 24 individuals, consisting of 20 passengers and 4 cabin crew members. Following initial assessment, 20 people were discharged after receiving treatment for minor injuries, while 4 individuals required hospital admission for further care.\n\nThe interior structure of the cabin also sustained visible physical damage during the altitude fluctuations. Inspection reports documented impact damage to overhead storage bins, ceiling panels, handrails, and emergency exit door handles. The force of the movements was strong enough to detach structural fittings inside the passenger cabin.\n\nPilot Substance Test and Regulatory Recommendations\nAs part of post-incident protocols, investigative authorities subjected the flight's pilot-in-command to a screening for psychoactive substances, which returned a non-negative result upon confirmatory testing. The AAIB highlighted this result as a matter of critical concern and issued an interim recommendation to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to enforce stricter preventive measures against psychoactive substance abuse by aviation personnel.\n\nHowever, the AAIB clarified that this drug test result has not yet been designated as the direct cause of the flight incident. Technical investigations into mechanical, operational, and system-level factors are continuing independently.\n\nTechnical Assessment and Maintenance History\nInvestigative documentation revealed that prior to the flight, the aircraft was operating under a Minimum Equipment List (MEL) provision concerning an item associated with the Power Transfer Unit (PTU). The investigation has not yet established whether this maintenance status contributed directly to the simultaneous pressure drop across the Green, Blue, and Yellow hydraulic networks at cruising altitude.\n\nEnvironmental factors have been largely ruled out. Investigation records confirmed that no adverse weather conditions or atmospheric turbulence were reported by either the flight crew or Air Traffic Control (ATC) prior to or during the occurrence. Consequently, severe weather is not currently considered a contributing factor to the loss of hydraulic pressure.\n\nBlack Box Recovery and Ongoing Airbus Examination\nTo establish the exact sequence of technical events, the AAIB successfully retrieved data from both onboard flight recorders: the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR). Technical experts from aircraft manufacturer Airbus have also inspected the plane directly in Delhi to assist with the investigation.\n\nEngineers have removed relevant hydraulic components and collected fluid samples for detailed laboratory analysis. These technical tests aim to clarify why all three hydraulic channels suffered pressure loss simultaneously at 36,000 feet. While the preliminary report outlines critical initial findings, the final conclusions will be released once the AAIB completes its comprehensive investigation.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis incident directly influences air travel safety guidelines and regulatory oversight for flight crews.\n\n• Across India: Air passengers are urged to keep seatbelts fastened throughout the flight even when the seatbelt sign is off to prevent injuries from sudden turbulence or altitude changes.\n• In Delhi / International Routes: The DGCA is expected to enforce stricter mandatory drug testing and medical compliance protocols for pilots to ensure passenger safety on international flights.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Which flight was involved and when did the incident happen?\nThe incident occurred on August 4, 2026, aboard Air India flight AI-2379 (Airbus A320-251N) flying from Phuket to Delhi.\n\n2. How many people were on board the aircraft?\nThere were 145 people on board, including 137 passengers, 6 cabin crew members, and 2 pilots.\n\n3. How many people required medical treatment after landing?\nA total of 24 people received medical assistance in Delhi; 20 were discharged after minor treatment, while 4 were admitted to the hospital.\n\n4. What was discovered regarding the pilot during the investigation?\nThe pilot-in-command's confirmatory test for psychoactive substances returned a non-negative result, which the AAIB flagged as a serious concern.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/national/36-hazar-feet-par-air-india-ki-udan-mein-teeno-hydraulic-system-hue-gul-pilot-ke-janch-natije-ne-badhai-chinta-27549",
  "category": "India",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-04",
  "tags": [
    "Air India",
    "Aviation Safety",
    "Phuket Delhi Flight",
    "AAIB Investigation",
    "DGCA",
    "Hydraulic Failure",
    "Aviation News"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}