The Civil Aviation Ministry summoned outgoing Air India CEO and Accountable Manager Campbell Wilson following an altitude-loss incident on a flight from Phuket to New Delhi [1, 2].
The government intervention highlights growing scrutiny over aviation safety and pilot conduct within India's largest carrier. The summons follows reports of passenger injuries and concerns regarding the stability of the aircraft during its descent into Indian airspace [2].
The incident occurred Aug. 4, 2024, when an Airbus A320 experienced a sudden drop in altitude [2]. According to reports, the aircraft lost approximately 300 feet (91 metres) [2]. This rapid descent resulted in injuries to 17 passengers [2].
At the time of the incident, the aircraft was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members [2]. The ministry is seeking detailed explanations for the loss of altitude, including an investigation into whether pilot impairment played a role in the event [2, 3].
Campbell Wilson is currently the outgoing CEO of the airline. The summons, reported Aug. 5, 2024, requires the executive to provide answers to the ministry regarding the safety protocols and operational failures that led to the injuries [1, 2].
Air India has not provided a public statement regarding the specific cause of the altitude drop or the details of the CEO's testimony to the ministry [1, 2].
“The aircraft lost approximately 300 feet (91 metres) of altitude.”
This summons indicates that the Indian government is prioritizing accountability at the executive level for operational safety failures. By calling the Accountable Manager directly, the Civil Aviation Ministry is signaling that technical glitches or pilot errors are being viewed as systemic leadership issues rather than isolated cockpit incidents.
