Air India Pilot Allegedly Tests Positive for Illegal Drugs Following Phuket-Delhi Flight Incident
An Air India Airbus A320neo pilot has reportedly tested positive for illegal psychoactive drugs a second time. This development follows a 4 August incident where flight AI-2379 from Phuket to Delhi suddenly descended 300 feet, causing injuries to passengers and crew. India's Aircraft Accidents Investigation Bureau is examining the event.
Flight Incident Under Investigation
An Air India Airbus A320neo aircraft experienced a sudden 300-foot altitude drop on 4 August. The narrowbody plane, operating as flight AI-2379, was travelling from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi. This unexpected descent occurred at a cruising altitude of approximately 34,000 feet. The incident resulted in injuries for around 20 passengers and four cabin crew members.
Many individuals required hospitalisation for head, neck, and spinal trauma. India's Aircraft Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting an inquiry into the circumstances. The French Bureau d’Enquetes et d’Analyses (BEA) provides assistance, typical for incidents involving Airbus aircraft.
Pilot's Drug Test Results Emerge
The Captain of the Air India flight has allegedly tested positive for illegal psychoactive drugs. This marks the second such reported instance for the pilot. Standard procedure for serious aviation accidents includes drug testing for all crew members. Both pilots underwent rapid drug tests shortly after landing in Delhi.
The Captain's initial test reportedly showed a 'non-negative' result. A subsequent laboratory test confirmed the presence of illegal drugs, according to Bloomberg sources. Investigators will determine if any correlation exists between this alleged finding and the flight incident. This information adds another dimension to the ongoing accident probe.
Previous Concerns and Investigations
Initial theories suggested clear air turbulence caused the 4 August incident. However, other possibilities, including mechanical issues or aircraft design defects, also emerged. This incident occurs amid ongoing scrutiny of aviation safety. Indian investigators are still debating the cause of the Air India AI-171 crash on 12 June 2025.
That flight to London Gatwick from Ahmedabad tragically lost altitude shortly after take-off. All but one of the 230 passengers and 12 crew members perished. A preliminary report revealed that both fuel cut-off switches moved from RUN to CUTOFF after take-off. Theories include deliberate pilot action or faulty switches.
Airbus A320 Family Safety Alert
Airbus issued an urgent safety alert for its A320 family aircraft late last year. This followed an incident aboard a JetBlue aircraft where the plane pitched down without pilot input. Engineers determined a malfunctioning Elevator & Aileron Computer (ELAC) unit caused the unexpected pitch-down. The ELAC interprets pilot commands to control aircraft surfaces.
Airbus believes intense solar radiation corrupted the ELAC, specifically affecting software update L104. Airlines received instructions to restore all aircraft with L104 software to the previous L103 version. This fix often involved reinstalling the tested software via a Portable Data Loader. Around 6,000 of the 11,500 active A320 series aircraft had the L104 software installed globally.
Implications for Aviation Safety
The ongoing investigation into the Air India flight AI-2379 incident carries significant implications for aviation safety protocols. The focus remains on establishing the precise cause of the altitude drop. This includes examining all contributing factors, from environmental conditions to crew performance and aircraft systems.
For the industry, the outcome will shape future pilot training, health monitoring, and maintenance procedures. Travellers should monitor updates from India's AAIB for clarity on the incident's causes. These findings will inform measures designed to prevent similar occurrences and reinforce confidence in air travel safety standards.
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