According to sources, the pilot-in-command told investigators that he had not slept adequately
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A post-flight maintenance report of Air India Phuket-Delhi flight AI2379 on August 4, 2026, which suffered a sudden altitude loss on August 4, has flagged multiple warnings involving faults in the aircraft’s hydraulic and flight-control systems.The maintenance report reviewed by businessline showed that the Airbus A320neo, registered VT-EXO, recorded repeated warnings of low pressure in its hydraulic systems. It also recorded low-level indications for the Yellow and Blue hydraulic reservoirs.Around the same time, the aircraft recorded a fault involving the left and right elevators. The report also recorded “AUTO FLT AP OFF”, indicating that the autopilot was off.However, the maintenance report does not establish whether these warnings were linked to the sudden loss of altitude. It also does not indicate whether the hydraulic warnings were caused by an actual loss of pressure or fluid.Crew SummonedMeanwhile, the development comes even as India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) summoned the pilots and crew of the Air India flight for questioning as part of its investigation into the incident, sources told businessline.According to sources, the pilot-in-command told investigators that he had not slept adequately and had informed the first officer that he would take some rest under controlled-rest provisions.The pilot allegedly told investigators that he slept for around 30-35 minutes during the flight before waking up.Pilots’ PerspectiveAs per the pilot’s own alleged description of the occurrences, after waking up, he went to the washroom and returned to the cockpit. He was standing behind the first officer’s seat and stretching his hands while speaking to the first officer about the air-conditioning system when the reported multiple hydraulic failure occurred.Besides, sources said the pilot fell to the cockpit floor following the incident. A stall warning then sounded while the first officer continued to control the aircraft. Other crews members subsequently came to the cockpit to help the pilot.The pilot also allegedly told investigators that he had been experiencing sleep difficulties over a period of time due to personal circumstances and had been prescribed medication by his family doctor. He reportedly said he had tried to rest during the layover but sleep did not come easily.However, businessline could not independently confirm the authenticity of what the sources said the pilot told investigators.The account could not be independently verified and would have to be corroborated with the flight-data recorder, cockpit voice recorder and aircraft maintenance records.Wednesday’s developments come a day after sources had indicated that the pilot had failed the secondary drug test. However, this development was not officially confirmed by the government.Around 20 passengers and four crew members were injured in the incident. The aircraft subsequently landed safely in Delhi.Published on August 12, 2026
