Air India Phuket-Delhi incident: All 3 hydraulic systems failed; pilot tested positive for psychoactive s - The Times of India

**Air India Flight from Phuket to Delhi Experiences Multiple Hydraulic Failures, Pilot Tests Positive for Psychoactive Substance**

A commercial Air India flight operating from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi, India, encountered a serious technical emergency when all three of its hydraulic systems failed mid‑flight. The loss of hydraulic pressure forced the crew to deactivate the seat‑belt sign while attempting to manage the aircraft’s control surfaces, prompting an altitude deviation that alarmed passengers and crew alike. The incident, which unfolded without any injuries, was reported to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) shortly after the aircraft landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The AAIB’s preliminary report, released this week, confirmed the simultaneous failure of the primary, secondary, and auxiliary hydraulic systems—an unprecedented event for the airline’s fleet. In addition to the mechanical malfunction, the probe revealed that the captain’s post‑flight toxicology test returned a positive result for a psychoactive substance. While the exact nature of the substance has not been disclosed, investigators described the finding as a “serious concern” that could have impaired the pilot’s decision‑making during the emergency.

In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been urged to take immediate disciplinary action against the pilot and to review Air India’s medical screening and monitoring procedures. The airline has pledged full cooperation with the AAIB and announced plans to conduct a fleet‑wide audit of hydraulic system redundancies, as well as to reinforce its drug‑testing protocols for flight crew. The incident has reignited calls for stricter oversight of airline safety practices in India, with regulators emphasizing that any breach of medical fitness standards will be met with stringent penalties.