Now Reading: Air India flight lost all controls for 4 seconds after triple hydraulic failure
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Air India flight lost all controls for 4 seconds after triple hydraulic failure
Air India flight lost all controls for 4 seconds after triple hydraulic failure
An Air India Airbus A320neo lost use of its elevators and ailerons for about four seconds after all three hydraulic systems failed in quick succession, according to a preliminary Airbus technical assessment.…
The Story in Brief
An Air India Airbus A320neo lost use of its elevators and ailerons for about four seconds after all three hydraulic systems failed in quick succession, according to a preliminary Airbus technical assessment. The incident occurred on August 4 on flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi, causing the aircraft to drop 300 feet and injuring 24 people. The plane later landed safely in Delhi. India's AAIB is investigating with assistance from Airbus and French authorities. Airbus has recommended structural inspections and further testing of the aircraft's hydraulic systems, sensors, and wiring. The cause of the pressure losses remains unknown.
Separately, the captain tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test, though there is no evidence linking that to the technical failure. Air India has since introduced mandatory substance testing for pilots. The aircraft, VT-EXO, has remained grounded since the incident.
The Indian Opinion
The Air India incident is being spun either as a one-off technical glitch or a pilot misconduct story. Neither captures the full picture. A triple hydraulic failure on an A320 is extremely rare and points to a systemic design or maintenance vulnerability, not just a bad day. The captain's drug test result is a separate matter and should not be used to dismiss the technical investigation. The real test will come when Airbus completes its review of sensors, wiring, and maintenance logs. Did a common cause, like a software or electrical fault, disable three independent hydraulic systems? That answer will determine whether this is an isolated event or a fleet-wide concern.
Sources (2): indiatvnews.com, news.google.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
