New Delhi: A preliminary report into Air India Phuket-Delhi flight AI2379 altitude loss accident has flagged multiple hydraulic systems failure and non-negative dope tests of the Captain.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) directed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to take action against the Captain, who was terminated by the airline hours later on Friday.
The report, after examining Post Flight Report (PFR), acknowledged multiple warnings involving hydraulic failure, stall, disengagement of auto-pilot among many others in Odishan airspace.
“The Co-Pilot, who was the Pilot Flying (PF) responded and tried to control the prevailing situation. Subsequently, PIC took over the controls,” the report said.
Importantly, the report confirmed the ‘altitude upset’ of the flight as it first gained altitude before losing it suddenly. “Initially, it gained 372 ft and fell by 292 ft from its assigned FL360 during the event.”
However, the report did not get into attributing the reason for the altitude drop and instead restricted itself to laying out the sequence of events. It essentially dealt with ‘what’ and ‘how’ of the accident, while staying away from making any inferences about ‘why’.
Elaborating on injuries and aftermath of the accident, the AAIB said, “At the time of the event, seat belt signs were off. Consequently, some passengers and cabin crew suffered injuries. Cabin Supervisor apprised the cockpit about the injuries suffered by the passengers and cabin crew.”
Importantly, It further noted, “The flight crew assessed the cabin situation and took the decision of continuing the flight to its planned destination i.e. Delhi airport and did not divert to the nearest enroute airport.”
The aircraft sustained damages at several places inside the cabin mainly to the hatrack (overhead stowage bins) and ceiling panels, it said, while listing all the damages to the aircraft.
Upon landing, it noted, all 24 injured passengers and crew members were provided medical aid and AAIB was altered about the accident. Post initial assessment, the investigating body termed the “turbulence” incident as a “serious accident.”
AAIB team examined the aircraft to begin their investigation and followed by interviewing crew members as well, the report said.
“The investigation team interacted with the flight crew and cabin crew (including cabin supervisor) at Delhi Airport. Subsequently, both flight crew were interviewed by the investigation team,” the report read.
The body said, “Flight recorders (CVR and DFDR) were recovered from the aircraft and they were brought to AAIB Headquarters. Downloaded CVR and DFDR data are available with the investigation team for investigation.”
Friday marked a month since the accident upon which a preliminary report was released. A final report in the matter is pending. AAIB said findings are subject to change and is not intended to apportion blame or liability at this stage.