The pilot-in-command of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi has tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory laboratory test, following an incident where the aircraft lost approximately 300 feet in altitude, injuring 24 people.
The development marks a significant turn in the ongoing investigation into flight AI2379, an Airbus A320 registered VT-EXO, which experienced the sudden altitude variation on August 4 while cruising. Despite the incident, the aircraft stabilized and landed safely in Delhi with 137 passengers and eight crew members onboard. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) reported that 20 passengers and four cabin crew members sustained injuries.
Pilot Tests Positive for Psychoactive Substance
Following the incident, both pilots underwent mandatory psychoactive-substance screening. The pilot-in-command's initial screening necessitated further testing, and their sample was subsequently sent to a designated laboratory for confirmation. Sources have now indicated that this confirmatory test yielded a positive result for marijuana.
Neither Air India nor aviation authorities have officially confirmed the specific substance detected. In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has removed both pilots from the flying roster, pending the full completion of the investigation and testing procedures.
Broader Investigation Continues
The drug test results represent only one component of a comprehensive probe. Investigators are also examining reports of technical issues, including potential hydraulic problems and turbulence encountered during the flight. Questions have also been raised regarding the events within the cockpit and the actions of the co-pilot during the altitude loss.
The AAIB has refrained from attributing the altitude loss to any single cause at this stage. Its investigation is thorough, encompassing an examination of the aircraft and its systems, analysis of flight-data recordings, review of operational and maintenance records, medical information pertinent to the crew, and statements from all involved parties. Airbus and France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) are providing assistance with the technical aspects of the inquiry.
Government Prioritizes Aviation Safety
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu met with Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and other senior airline officials on August 11 to discuss the incident. Minister Naidu emphasized that aviation safety remains the government's paramount priority, asserting that there would be no compromise on this front. He also stated that the government would evaluate strengthening regulations concerning psychoactive-substance use if existing rules are deemed insufficient.
Next Steps in the Probe
The AAIB continues its meticulous investigation and has cautioned against drawing premature conclusions based on isolated pieces of information. The agency confirmed that its inquiry will thoroughly cover all technical, operational, medical, and human factors contributing to the incident before any definitive conclusions are released. The positive marijuana test is the latest significant development, but its causal link to the aircraft's altitude loss has not yet been established by the investigation.