Air India Pilot Tests Positive for Marijuana After Flight Altitude Drop

The pilot in command of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test following a serious incident last week. On August 4, the Airbus A320neo experienced a sudden loss of altitude of approximately 300 feet while cruising over the Indian state of Odisha. The aircraft was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members. Reports on the number of injuries vary: one source cites 13 passengers and four crew members, while another reports 20 passengers and four crew members. Two crew members remain hospitalized with spinal injuries.

Following the landing in Delhi, both pilots underwent screenings for psychoactive substances. While the initial test for the pilot in command was inconclusive, a subsequent confirmatory test returned a positive result for marijuana. In a statement to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, the pilot claimed he had been prescribed medication by a family doctor for sleep difficulties related to personal circumstances and struggled to sleep during his layover. Both pilots have been off roster pending the results of the probe.

Investigations are being conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. While the airline initially attributed the altitude drop to turbulence, other reports indicate that investigators are considering possible technical failures. These include reports of a autopilot disconnection, a stall warning, and flight control messages prior to the event. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has summoned Air India CEO Campbell Wilson regarding the incident.