An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi suddenly lost around 300 feet in altitude during a mid-air incident over Odisha on August 4, leaving 17 people injured and triggering a detailed aviation safety investigation. The Airbus A320neo, operating as flight AI2379, was carrying passengers and crew when the aircraft experienced a sudden change in altitude during cruise.
The incident was initially described as a turbulence-related event. However, subsequent findings have raised questions about whether technical problems inside the aircraft may have played a role. Reports indicate that the aircraft experienced several technical snags, including issues involving its hydraulic systems and an autopilot-related problem. Investigators are examining whether these failures were connected to the sudden loss of altitude.
The aircraft eventually regained its altitude and continued towards Delhi, landing safely. Seventeen people were initially reported injured, including passengers and crew members. The injuries were understood to have occurred when people were thrown around the cabin during the sudden drop. The aircraft was carrying 145 people, according to an initial report.
The incident has now attracted greater attention following developments in the investigation. India’s aviation authorities are examining the aircraft’s technical condition, flight data and the circumstances surrounding the altitude loss. France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) is also expected to participate in the investigation because the aircraft is an Airbus.
Another major development emerged on August 11, when sources said the captain’s confirmatory drug test had returned positive for marijuana. The test followed mandatory post-incident screening of the cockpit crew. The report has added another dimension to the investigation, although authorities have not publicly established any connection between the test result and the aircraft’s altitude loss. Air India has said it is cooperating with the authorities.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has also summoned Air India CEO Campbell Wilson for a briefing on the incident and the progress of the investigation. Officials are expected to establish whether the sudden descent was caused by turbulence, technical failures, crew-related factors or a combination of circumstances.
With the investigation still underway, aviation authorities are examining the evidence before reaching any final conclusion. The incident has renewed scrutiny of flight safety procedures and the importance of identifying technical or operational problems before they can pose a greater risk to passengers and crew.
