Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight Drops Suddenly: Airbus Report

New Delhi: A preliminary review by Airbus has shed light on what happened aboard an Air India Airbus A320 operating from Phuket to Delhi on August 4, when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude and 24 passengers were injured.

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According to the preliminary assessment shared with Air India, the aircraft experienced a problem with its hydraulic system for several seconds, temporarily affecting the aircraft’s control systems.

What Happened in Those Few Seconds?

Data from the aircraft’s digital flight data recorder reportedly indicates that the hydraulic system issue occurred between 9:32:44 AM and 9:32:51 AM, a period of around seven seconds.

During this brief window, the aircraft’s autopilot disengaged, while the nose of the aircraft moved upward. The sudden change in the aircraft’s flight path resulted in an unexpected change in altitude, exposing passengers to significant forces.

The hydraulic system is crucial for operating several aircraft control mechanisms. It uses pressurised fluid to help control important systems required for safe flight.

Hydraulic Systems Restored Within Seconds

The situation began stabilising shortly after the incident. Around five seconds after the problem emerged, one of the aircraft’s hydraulic systems reportedly became operational again. The remaining two hydraulic systems also returned to normal within the following few seconds.

Once the hydraulic systems were restored, the aircraft’s control mechanisms began functioning normally and the flight was brought back under control.

However, the sudden altitude change placed greater-than-expected loads on the aircraft, prompting Airbus to recommend further technical and structural inspections.

Airbus Seeks Detailed Maintenance Records

As part of its ongoing assessment, Airbus has asked Air India to conduct several technical checks and provide detailed information about the aircraft.

The manufacturer has sought records of the recent maintenance work carried out on the aircraft, along with inspection reports and other technical data.

Airbus has also asked for detailed accounts from the pilots regarding what they observed and experienced during the incident. Their observations could help investigators establish the sequence of events and determine how the aircraft responded to the hydraulic system problem.

Aircraft Structure Also Under Inspection

The sudden change in altitude and the forces experienced by the aircraft have raised concerns about possible structural stress.

As a result, Airbus has recommended that inspections should not be limited to the hydraulic and flight-control systems. The aircraft’s overall structure and airframe may also need to be examined to determine whether the incident caused any structural impact.

Why Was the Aircraft Flown to Delhi?

The incident has also raised questions among some pilots about why the aircraft continued its journey from Phuket to Delhi after the technical issue was brought under control.

Some aviation professionals have questioned whether the aircraft should have been diverted or inspected at another location instead of continuing to its scheduled destination. However, the official reasons behind Air India’s decision have not yet been established.

The matter is expected to become clearer once the investigation into the incident is completed.

Investigation Still Underway

The investigation is being conducted under the supervision of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Airbus and relevant aviation investigation authorities in France are also examining the technical aspects of the incident.

Importantly, the Airbus assessment is only a preliminary review and does not represent the final conclusion of the investigation.

Investigators are still working to determine exactly what caused the hydraulic system problem, why it occurred, how it affected the aircraft’s flight controls and whether any other technical factors contributed to the sudden altitude change.

The incident has raised several questions surrounding aircraft maintenance, hydraulic system reliability, flight-control response and the operational decision to continue the flight to Delhi. A detailed investigation will be required before the exact cause and responsibility can be established.

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