The captain of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi has undergone further drug testing after an initial screening returned a “not negative” result following a turbulence-related incident in which the aircraft reportedly dropped around 300 feet.
An Air India flight from Phuket to New Delhi has come under investigation after the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude during severe turbulence, while a subsequent screening of the pilot reportedly returned a “not negative” result.
The incident occurred on August 4, when Air India flight AI2379 was operating from Phuket to Delhi. During the flight, the aircraft reportedly dropped around 300 feet after encountering turbulence, causing passengers and cabin crew members to be thrown around inside the aircraft. Several people were injured in the incident, although the aircraft continued its journey and landed safely in Delhi.
Following the incident, the pilot underwent a mandatory post-flight screening for psychoactive substances. The initial test result was described as “not negative,” prompting authorities to send the sample for confirmatory laboratory testing.
The wording of the initial result is important, as a “not negative” screening does not by itself establish that the pilot tested positive for a prohibited substance. A final determination will depend on the outcome of the confirmatory examination. Authorities are therefore awaiting the laboratory report before reaching any conclusion about the pilot’s condition or whether the screening result had any connection with the flight incident.
Both pilots associated with the flight have reportedly been removed from flying duties as the investigation continues. The action is understood to be precautionary while the authorities examine the circumstances surrounding the flight and await the final test results.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is also examining the serious aviation occurrence. Investigators are expected to assess the aircraft’s sudden altitude loss, the turbulence encountered during the flight, crew actions and other operational factors that may have contributed to the incident.
The sudden drop reportedly caused injuries among people on board and raised concerns about flight safety. However, investigators have not established that the pilot’s preliminary screening result was responsible for the altitude change. The two developments are currently being examined as part of the broader investigation.
The case comes as aviation authorities continue to emphasise strict compliance with pilot fitness and safety procedures. Mandatory screening following certain aviation incidents is intended to help authorities determine whether psychoactive substances played any role in an occurrence.
For now, the captain’s screening remains subject to confirmatory testing, and it would be premature to describe the result as a confirmed positive. The final laboratory report, along with the findings of the ongoing aviation investigation, is expected to provide greater clarity on the circumstances surrounding the Phuket-Delhi flight.