NEW DELHI, 5 September, 2026 (Nosheen) – An Air India flight that injured passengers after suddenly losing altitude last month experienced a temporary failure of three hydraulic systems, according to a preliminary investigation report released by Indian authorities on Friday. The airline has also terminated the pilot after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance. The Airbus A320 was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members when it suddenly lost altitude on August 4 while flying from Phuket, Thailand, to New Delhi. The incident injured 24 passengers before the aircraft stabilised and landed safely. India’s civil aviation ministry classified the incident as a “Serious Incident.” Airbus and France’s civil aviation safety agency, the BEA, are assisting Indian authorities with the investigation. According to a preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the aircraft’s flight-control system detected the loss of three hydraulic systems for several seconds, resulting in a sudden altitude disturbance. The report said the aircraft initially climbed 372 feet (113 metres) before descending 292 feet (89 metres). The hydraulic failure caused the autopilot to disengage and triggered a two-second stall warning before the systems recovered and the aircraft returned to normal operation. The investigation also found that the pilot in command tested positive for a psychoactive substance during a confirmatory test.“The confirmation of use of psycho-active substance is a serious concern,” the report stated.
An Air India spokesperson said the pilot had been “terminated with immediate effect,” in line with the airline’s zero-tolerance policy regarding violations of safety, fitness and regulatory requirements. Following the incident, India’s aviation ministry said it was considering stricter screening rules for psychoactive substances. Air India also ordered mandatory one-time drug screening for all its pilots last month. The incident is the latest challenge facing Air India, which is owned by India’s Tata Group and has been working to revive the airline following a series of setbacks. The carrier has also faced flight disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Air India suffered its biggest recent blow in June 2025 when Flight 171, a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad. The crash killed all but one of the 242 people aboard the aircraft and 19 people on the ground. Last month, Air India appointed Tewolde Gebremariam, the former chief executive of Ethiopian Airlines, as its new CEO, with the airline hoping he can lead the carrier through its current difficulties and toward profitability.