Air India flight loses all control for four seconds; vital details emerge

NEW DELHI: Report says the Phuket-Delhi flight of Air India, which fell to a depth of 300 feet, lost all controls for four seconds during the journey. Crucial information was obtained during the examination of the black box. The main controls, including the elevators, ailerons and spoilers of the plane, were completely lost simultaneously.

The hydraulic systems play a vital role in the control of the plane. Therefore, the report points that a very serious situation has arisen. The elevators that help move the front of the plane up and down, the ailerons that help turn the wings left and right, and the spoilers that reduce lift were operated without the pilot's command.

The report says that the plane's autopilot system was disconnected and a warning was received in the cockpit. With this, the co-pilot tried to move his control stick forward and lower the nose of the plane. However, the co-pilot's control did not work until the hydraulic systems were restored. The warning comes when the plane slows down and loses lift to take off. 24 people, including the crew and passengers, were injured in the turbulence that occurred at this time.

Meantime, Air India has started dope testing after reports came that the plane crash was due to the pilot using drugs. The test is being conducted on more than 5,000 pilots. Along with Air India, Air India Express employees are also being tested. Those who do not undergo the test will be removed. The Air India Vice President said that the trust of passengers is a great asset. Presently, only 10 percent of Air India's crew members undergo annual drug testing.