An official investigation by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has revealed that an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 suffered a severe mid-air emergency, leaving 24 people injured. While the airline originally characterized the event as a brief bout of turbulence causing a momentary altitude shift, the probe discovered that the Airbus A320 experienced a total loss of all three hydraulic systems. Compounding the gravity of the situation, the seat belt signs were inactive when the plane suddenly lost altitude, resulting in four passengers sustaining serious injuries while 20 others suffered minor ones.

Further raising concerns, the regulatory body noted that the flight captain tested non-negative for psychoactive substances following the incident. This discovery contrasts sharply with the airline’s initial messaging, which downplayed the event and focused on the 137 passengers and eight crew members being safely attended to after landing. As authorities continue to scrutinize the technical failures and operational conduct surrounding flight AI2379, Air India has maintained that it is fully cooperating with the investigation and providing ongoing support to those impacted by the harrowing mid-air ordeal.