The Ministry of Civil Aviation has taken swift action following a severe mid-air incident involving an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi, grounding both operating pilots and initiating a comprehensive safety investigation. The incident, which occurred on August 4, saw Air India flight AI 2379 experience a sudden and significant altitude drop.
Flight AI 2379, an Airbus A320 carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members, suddenly dropped approximately 300 feet in a matter of seconds while en route. While the aircraft stabilized and landed safely at its destination, the sharp descent caused passengers and crew to be thrown off balance. Several individuals sustained injuries, with two cabin crew members requiring hospitalization at Fortis hospital for spinal injuries.
In adherence to standard protocol for such occurrences, regulatory authorities immediately subjected both pilots to mandatory medical screenings. The initial psychoactive substance screening for the Captain yielded a result that necessitated further laboratory scrutiny. Samples have been dispatched to a designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis, with the final report currently awaited.
The Ministry has classified the event as a grave safety hazard and a serious incident, transferring the probe from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to the specialized Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) for a thorough technical investigation. Pending the final laboratory results and the conclusion of the formal inquiry into the altitude loss, both flight crew members have been removed from flight duty by the DGCA.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the DGCA have emphasized their unwavering commitment to maintaining strict compliance with safety regulations. They assured the public that appropriate enforcement measures will be implemented once the AAIB completes its technical investigation and the confirmatory test findings are delivered.