The flight path of Air India AI 2379 from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 was marked by a sequence of technical malfunctions that challenge initial official accounts of the event. While early reports attributed a sudden loss of altitude to severe turbulence, subsequent investigations into the Airbus A320 neo indicate a complex cascade of hydraulic and flight-control failures occurred while the aircraft was over Odisha.
Nearly two and a half hours into the journey, at 9.32 a.m. IST, the aircraft began registering a series of high-priority warnings. Technical data records show a rapid succession of nine fault messages within a single minute, involving low-pressure indicators across all three independent hydraulic systems. This specific combination of failures is described by aviation professionals as an extremely rare event for the A320 platform, which relies on these systems to manage primary flight controls, braking, and landing gear.
The automated maintenance logs reveal that the failure sequence included an autopilot disconnect and simultaneous fault indications for both the left and right elevators. These control surfaces are essential for managing the pitch of the aircraft, and their malfunction directly preceded the sudden altitude excursion. As the aircraft pitched up and triggered a stall warning, the pilot-in-command intervened with manual control inputs to force the nose down, resulting in a loss of approximately 300 feet of altitude.
This maneuver, while intended to recover the aircraft, caused intense vertical force that injured at least 17 passengers and crew members. Following the intervention, technical logs show no further fault messages, suggesting the flight-control systems were successfully restored. The crew opted to continue the flight to Delhi rather than divert, citing the need for specialized medical and engineering support available at the destination.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is now conducting a formal inquiry into the incident, which has been classified as a major incident. Airbus has dispatched a team of specialists to provide technical assistance, as mandated by ICAO Annex 13 protocols. The manufacturer stated it is actively supporting the airline and the relevant investigating authorities to determine the root cause of the hydraulic cascade.
Questions remain regarding the cockpit management during the crisis, particularly the reported presence of the pilot in the passenger cabin during the flight. Aviation safety standards emphasize that pilots must remain at the controls during technical emergencies, making the reported movement of the commander a point of scrutiny for investigators. The decision to proceed to Delhi instead of landing at the nearest available airport also remains under review by aviation regulators.
The investigation has also been complicated by reports that the pilot-in-command tested positive for psychoactive substances during post-flight screening in Delhi. Air India has stated that the investigation is ongoing and declined to comment on specific findings or the status of the pilot. While the airline initially referenced turbulence in its public statements, subsequent communications from both the carrier and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have omitted that explanation entirely.
The absence of technical fault disclosures in initial official statements has drawn criticism from industry observers. By failing to acknowledge the hydraulic failures, the initial narrative obscured the severity of the mechanical challenges faced by the crew. The final results of the pilot’s screening and the full analysis of the flight data recorder will be essential in clarifying the sequence of events and the subsequent decision-making process.
Future milestones in the investigation include the release of the final report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. Stakeholders will be watching for findings on whether the hydraulic failures were a result of a singular mechanical defect or a systemic maintenance issue. The outcome of this inquiry will likely influence future safety protocols for the A320 neo fleet globally.
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