- Air India A320 flight from Bangkok to Delhi aborted take-off due to a hydraulic malfunction, marking the second such incident in 10 days.
- The cockpit crew detected the hydraulic malfunction as the aircraft began its take-off roll, leading to a sudden halt.
- Passengers remained on board for over 90 minutes before being asked to disembark.
- The issue was rectified within about three hours, but crew duty time limitations prevented the flight from operating.
- The flight eventually departed Bangkok at 7pm local time on Friday, about 24 hours after its scheduled departure.
- On August 4, an Air India A320 from Phuket to Delhi experienced a sudden loss of altitude due to hydraulic pressure loss, injuring 24 people.
- Indian authorities have classified the Phuket-Delhi incident as a serious incident, with an investigation underway.
- The latest incidents have raised concerns about Air India's A320 fleet and operational safety, leading to increased regulatory scrutiny.
An Air India A320 flight, AI2335, was forced to abort its take-off from Bangkok to Delhi on August 13 due to a hydraulic malfunction, marking the second such incident in just ten days. The aircraft, carrying over 250 passengers, had begun its take-off roll when the cockpit crew detected the issue, leading to a sudden halt.12
A business-class passenger described the moment, stating, “The flight was moving for take-off when we heard a loud screeching halt... This filled me and many others with fear because we had recently read reports of hydraulic failure concerning the Air India Phuket flight.” Rescue vehicles and ambulances were dispatched as the aircraft was moved to a side bay near the runway.
Passengers remained on board for over 90 minutes before being asked to disembark. An airline source confirmed the hydraulic malfunction, which was rectified within three hours, but due to flight duty time limitations, the crew could not continue the journey. The flight eventually departed at around 7pm local time on Friday, nearly 24 hours after its scheduled departure. Air India provided hotel accommodations for passengers who opted to stay overnight, while some made alternative travel arrangements.5
This incident follows a previous hydraulic failure on an Air India A320 from Phuket to Delhi on August 4, which resulted in 24 injuries and has been classified as a serious incident by Indian authorities. An investigation is ongoing with technical assistance from Airbus and France's BEA.67
“The Bangkok incident follows an August 4 Phuket-Delhi flight where all three hydraulic systems lost pressure, injuring 24 people and prompting a serious incident classification. An investigation with Airbus and France's BEA is underway, likely intensifying scrutiny of Air India's A320 fleet.”
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