Air India Pilot Undergoes Confirmatory Drug Test After Flight Plunge

India's civil aviation ministry has announced that the Pilot-in-Command of an Air India flight is undergoing a confirmatory psychoactive substance test after a screening test returned a result requiring further analysis. The incident occurred on August 4 during a flight from Phuket, Thailand, to New Delhi. An Airbus A320 carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members lost approximately 300 feet of altitude before stabilizing and landing safely. The flight has been classified as a Serious Incident, and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched an investigation. Both pilots have been removed from the flying roster pending the outcome of the probe.

Twelve people, including eight passengers and four cabin crew members, were admitted to hospitals following the landing. Their conditions were described as stable, although one source noted that two crew members suffered spinal injuries. A passenger on the flight, Srikant Jha, alleged that the pilot appeared intoxicated and threatened passengers who attempted to film him. Air India confirmed that post-flight screening tests were conducted but stated that the results have not been shared with the company.

Reports on the event vary in their broader context. Center-right sources frame the incident as part of a series of setbacks for the carrier. A center source provides extensive background on the airline's struggles under the Tata Group, including a catastrophic crash in June 2025 and the appointment of a new CEO, Tewolde Gebremariam, to right the ship.