NEW DELHI: An Air India A320 flying from Phuket to New Delhi experienced a stall warning and sudden altitude changes last month, throwing passengers and crew against overhead bins and injuring 24 people, Indian investigators said.
The aircraft was cruising at 36,000 feet on August 4 when it initially climbed 372 feet before dropping 292 feet below its previous altitude, according to a preliminary report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
The two-second stall warning followed the reported loss of all three hydraulic systems within four seconds. Consequently, the autopilot disengaged and a continuous cockpit warning sounded.
Hydraulic Systems Began Recovering Within Seconds
The hydraulic systems started recovering about nine seconds after the first pressure loss. However, investigators have not yet determined why the aircraft detected the sudden loss of hydraulic pressure.
The flight carried 137 passengers and eight crew members. The 32-year-old first officer was controlling the aircraft when the incident occurred before the 34-year-old captain took over.
Investigators subsequently upgraded the event from a “serious incident” to an “accident.”
Captain’s Substance Test Raises Further Concerns
The AAIB also reported that the captain returned a “non-negative” confirmatory test for psychoactive substances but did not identify the substance. Reuters previously cited a source saying the result involved marijuana.
Meanwhile, Air India said it was fully cooperating with investigators and providing operational, maintenance and technical records.
The airline is also implementing one-time mandatory substance testing for all pilots, extending checks beyond existing regulatory requirements.
Furthermore, the AAIB urged aviation regulators to address psychoactive substance abuse as a priority.
India is reportedly considering annual drug testing for all pilots, compared with current rules requiring tests for 10% of pilots each year.
