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Air India Jet's Shocking Dive: Drugs and System Failure?
4 Sep
Summary
- Pilot tested positive for psychoactive substances, including marijuana.
- Aircraft experienced sudden failure of all three hydraulic systems.
- 20 passengers and 4 crew members sustained injuries.
- Investigation continues into technical aspects and pilot conduct.
A preliminary report into an Air India Airbus A320 incident on August 4 has revealed a near-catastrophic event involving a sudden hydraulic system failure and the pilot-in-command testing positive for psychoactive substances. The aircraft experienced a brief, simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems, a virtually impossible scenario on the A320, leading to a loss of control surfaces for about four seconds. This event caused the aircraft to rapidly lose altitude, injuring 20 passengers and four crew members, with 17 requiring hospitalization.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has recommended urgent action from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding the pilot's drug test, which confirmed the presence of a psychoactive substance, reportedly marijuana. While technical aspects are still under investigation, the combined factors of hydraulic failure and pilot impairment are central to the ongoing probe. The flight was en route from Phuket to Delhi with 137 passengers and crew aboard.
Investigators noted that the aircraft had been dispatched under a Minimum Equipment List (MEL) for a power transfer unit issue, a common but regulated practice. The hydraulic systems, crucial for flight controls, are designed with redundancy. The simultaneous failure of all three systems, coupled with the pilot's confirmed drug use, presents a serious concern for aviation safety. The AAIB has stated that the investigation is ongoing and a final report will be published later.
