New Delhi: An Air India Airbus A320 operating from Bangkok to New Delhi was forced to discontinue its departure on Thursday evening after the cockpit crew detected a hydraulic problem as the aircraft was nearing the runway.
The incident is the second major technical fault reported on an Air India flight in 10 days. Flight AI 2335, carrying more than 250 passengers, was scheduled to leave Bangkok at 6.25 pm local time—4.55 pm in India—on August 13. It eventually departed at around 7 pm the following day.
A business-class passenger said the pilot addressed those on board over the public-address system and informed them that the aircraft had suffered a hydraulic failure. An airline source confirmed that a hydraulic malfunction had occurred, while maintaining that the pilot was not expected to make such an announcement, as reported by The New Indian Express.
A hydraulic malfunction involves a failure in an aircraft’s fluid-powered systems. Depending on its severity, it can lead to sluggish movement of flight equipment and, in extreme cases, a complete shutdown of critical systems.
Aircraft Halted Abruptly Before Departure
Rajiv Gambhir, a Delhi-based businessman seated in 1C and the owner of an aircraft, described the moment the plane stopped.
“The flight was moving for take-off when we heard a loud screeching halt. It was forceful as if the brakes were being applied suddenly. The plane came to a complete halt. The pilot then announced on the public address from the cockpit that there has been a hydraulic failure and they had to carry out some checks. This filled me and many others with fear because we had recently read reports of hydraulic failure concerning the Air India Phuket flight.”
The aircraft was subsequently parked in a side bay near the runway. Gambhir said emergency vehicles, including ambulances, quickly arrived at the spot.
“Rescue vehicles and even ambulances came rushing towards the aircraft. There was considerable impact due to the sudden halt. Since the flight was gearing for take-off, almost everyone had their seat belts on and this may have saved them from getting injured,” Gambhir said.
Passengers remained seated inside the aircraft for more than 90 minutes before being asked to disembark and return to the terminal. They were given water but no snacks during the initial wait.
“We were later told to deboard the plane and taken back to the terminal. No snacks were provided inside but we were given water. Later, we were all taken to the terminal. The six of us in business class were allowed inside the business lounge. We were later allowed to board another flight to Delhi by 11 pm (local time) there the same night,” he added.
Although passengers were upset over the disruption, Gambhir said many were relieved that the technical problem had been detected before the aircraft became airborne.
Crew Duty Limits Delay Return Flight
An airline source said the fault was repaired within three hours but the aircraft could not fly to Delhi immediately because the crew had reached their permitted duty limit.
“It was a hydraulic malfunction which occurred. It was rectified within three hours after the incident. The Flight Duty Time Limitations came into play and so the crew were not able to fly to Delhi. Many passengers preferred to stay the night there and we offered them hotel accommodation. The issue was set right and the passengers returned the next day to Delhi,” he said.
The source said passengers who stayed overnight in Bangkok were offered accommodation, while others were shifted to alternative travel arrangements. Most of the flyers reached Delhi nearly 24 hours after their original departure time.
