Air India flight control issues

Notes

• On August 4, an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi experienced a sudden 300-foot drop due to hydraulic and flight-control abnormalities.
• Airbus preliminary analysis of the digital flight data recorder confirmed a total loss of hydraulic systems for approximately four seconds.
• The failure resulted in the loss of the left-hand elevator (controlling pitch) and hydraulic-powered surfaces on the main wings (controlling lift, drag, and roll).
• During the incident, the autopilot disconnected, and initial pilot inputs for nose-down control did not result in immediate aircraft response.
• Hydraulic systems began recovering after five seconds, restoring control surface functionality.
• The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has classified the incident as 'serious'.

Part of a longer story

This is day 5 of 7 in Air India flight turbulence incident, which has been running since 5 August 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

• Air India employee conduct investigation Before
• Air India flight turbulence incident After
• The whole story 7 entries