New Delhi, September 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The pilot-in-command of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi tested positive for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test following an altitude upset during cruise, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said in its preliminary report released on Friday.
Describing the finding as a serious concern, the AAIB recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action on priority following the confirmatory test result. The agency said detailed investigations into the technical and other aspects of the incident were still underway.
According to the report, both members of the flight crew underwent post-flight medical screening after landing in Delhi, with satisfactory breathalyser results.
A psychoactive substance detection test returned a non-negative result for the pilot-in-command, while the co-pilot tested negative. Blood samples from both crew members were subsequently sent to a pathological laboratory for confirmation. The pilot-in-command’s confirmatory test was also non-negative, while the co-pilot’s sample remained negative.
Air India said it was cooperating with the investigation and had begun voluntary testing of all its pilots following the incident.
“Safety remains Air India’s highest priority,” the airline said, adding that it maintains zero tolerance for violations of safety, fitness or regulatory requirements.
The AAIB report noted that no discrepancies were found during the aircraft’s pre-flight inspection at Phuket, apart from an already invoked Minimum Equipment List item. The flight crew also reported no abnormalities during their walk-around inspection.
There were 145 people aboard the Airbus A320 operating as flight AI-2379, including 137 passengers, six cabin crew members and two pilots.
The report said at least 20 passengers and four crew members sustained injuries. The aircraft suffered damage mainly to overhead storage bins and ceiling panels.
The aircraft lost all three hydraulic systems while cruising at 36,000 feet over Odisha on August 4. It initially climbed 372 feet above its assigned altitude before descending 292 feet, according to the preliminary findings.
The AAIB said the investigation into the incident, including its technical aspects, remains in progress.
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