Air India pilot tests positive for marijuana after Phuket-Delhi flight incident
Pilot’s confirmatory test comes as AAIB investigates sudden altitude loss that injured 24 people.
The pilot-in-command (PIC) of an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight that rapidly lost altitude last week, causing injuries to 24 people, tested positive for a psychoactive substance during a post-flight screening, people familiar with the developments said today (11 August).
The pilot's preliminary drug test had returned "non-negative", a government release earlier said. "The pilot in question has tested positive in the confirmatory test. He has tested positive for Marijuana," an official aware of the details in the report told HT.
On 4 August, the Phuket-Delhi flight AI2379 dropped 300 feet in a sudden loss of altitude during cruise, injuring 20 passengers and four crew members.
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An initial statement from Air India had cited turbulence as the reason.
Soon after the incident, the aircraft, with 137 passengers and eight crew members on board, stabilised and landed safely in Delhi.
The pilots have been off-rostered pending a probe. The incident was classified as a serious one and is being investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
As part of prescribed procedures, both pilots underwent a screening for psychoactive substances after the flight landed in the Capital.
The initial screening of the PIC had indicated a result requiring confirmatory testing, following which the sample was sent to a designated laboratory.
"Pending investigation and completion of the prescribed process, both flight crew members have been taken off roster by the DGCA. Further action, as appropriate, will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation and confirmatory test results," the civil aviation ministry earlier said.
Earlier, people familiar with the matter cited a preliminary defect report (PDR) prepared by the pilots to suggest that the incident was preceded by multiple technical glitches, including an autopilot disconnection.
Two persons aware of the matter said the pilots mentioned technical issues with the aircraft in the PDR.
"The PDR mentioned that the autopilot disconnected. It also mentioned a stall warning and a flight control ECAM (Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor) message," said one of these persons, requesting anonymity.
A second official said the matter "is being investigated considering all the angles including suspected technical glitch."
The airline's spokesperson, however, did not comment on the development citing the ongoing probe.
"As the investigative process is ongoing, Air India cannot comment on any findings or observations related to the investigation.
We will continue to extend our full cooperation to relevant authorities as required," the spokesperson said.
The AAIB is investigating the circumstances surrounding the occurrence, while the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is responsible for regulatory action based on the outcome of the investigation and the prescribed testing process.
