NEW DELHI: An Air India pilot whose flight suffered a sudden loss of altitude during turbulence last week has undergone further testing after an initial screening for psychoactive substances indicated a result requiring confirmation, India’s civil aviation ministry said on Sunday.
The Airbus A320, operating Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket in Thailand to New Delhi, lost about 300 feet (91 metres) while cruising on August 4, the ministry said. The aircraft subsequently stabilised and landed in the Indian capital.
The flight was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, according to the ministry.
Following the incident, both pilots underwent standard psychoactive substance screening.
“The screening test in respect of the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) indicated a result requiring confirmatory testing,” the ministry said.
“Samples have accordingly been sent to the designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis, and the final report is awaited.”
Pilot taken off flying roster
The incident has been classified as a “Serious Incident”, and India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched an investigation.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken both crew members off the flying roster pending the outcome of the investigation and confirmatory test.
A SHOCKING REPORT.
AIR INDIA MUST CLARIFY. DGCA MUST ISSUE A STATEMENT.TIMES OF INDIA REPORT: The captain operating Air India’s turbulence-hit Phuket-Delhi flight on Tuesday (Aug 4) reportedly tested positive in a psychoactive substances (dope) test conducted on arrival,… pic.twitter.com/BQgvhFXxiP
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) August 9, 2026
“Further action, as appropriate, will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation and confirmatory test results,” the ministry said.
Air India confirmed that post-flight screening had been conducted on the pilots but said the results had not been shared with the airline.
“We are aware that a post-flight screening test was conducted on the pilots in accordance with applicable protocols. However, the results of the test have not been shared with Air India, and we are therefore not in a position to comment on any findings,” an airline spokesperson said.
Report alleges marijuana result
The Times of India, citing multiple unnamed sources, reported that the pilot had allegedly tested positive for marijuana.
The ministry has so far only said that the pilot-in-command’s initial screening produced a result requiring confirmatory laboratory analysis.
Also Read: Air India Flight Hits Severe Mid-Air Turbulence, Injuring Passengers and Crew
The flight encountered turbulence while travelling from Phuket to Delhi before the sudden loss of altitude over India on August 4.
The aircraft stabilised and continued to Delhi, where it landed safely.
The aviation ministry said eight passengers and four cabin crew members were admitted to hospitals after landing in New Delhi.
Latest setback for Air India
The incident comes as Air India faces heightened scrutiny following a series of safety investigations and regulatory reviews.
The airline has undergone a major transformation since India’s Tata Group took control in 2022.
Air India has nevertheless faced challenges including aircraft delivery delays and airspace closures.
The most serious setback came in June 2025, when Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad.
The crash killed all but one of the 242 people on board and 19 people on the ground.
