Air India on Friday (September 4, 2026) terminated the services of the pilot-in-command, who tested positive for psychoactive substances, after a Phuket-Delhi flight injured 24 due to a momentary loss of altitude.
On August 4, 24 passengers were injured after a momentary loss of altitude. Earlier reporting noted: AAIB flags Air India pilot’s positive psychoactive substance test after Phuket flight altitude scare Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in its preliminary report on the August 4 Air India Delhi-Phuket flight incident, said the pilot-in-command (PIC) tested non-negative for a psychoactive substance. The final report could take upto a year or more. The co-pilot, who was the pilot flying (PF) responded and tried to control the prevailing situation and as the hydraulic systems recovered, aircraft operations returned to normalcy. The aircraft suffered damage at several points inside the cabin, including cracked or dislodged ceiling panels, bent or broken handrails, and damaged emergency exit and overhead-bin components. One of the lavatory commodes was uprooted, while a crew seat and other components near the rear doors were also damaged. In this case, it has been observed that the PIC [pilot-in-command] was found non-negative for psychoactive substances in the confirmatory test. The confirmation of use of psychoactive substance is a serious concern, and AAIB recommends appropriate actions by DGCA on priority,” the aircraft accident probing body has concluded in its interim report. A stall warning is triggered when the aircraft can’t generate enough lift or force that keeps it up in the air.
The announcement from the airline came hours after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) , in its preliminary report on the August 4 incident, flagged the matter as a “serious concern” and recommended that the DGCA take appropriate action on priority. Announcing the termination of the pilot “with immediate effect”, Air India, in a statement said: “In line with Air India’s zero-tolerance approach to violation of safety, fitness or regulatory requirements, the pilot’s employment has been terminated with immediate effect. The AAIB flagged it as a “serious concern” and recommended that the DGCA take appropriate action on priority. Earlier reporting noted: The report also said that during the brief loss of altitude, all three hydraulic systems had failed, the autopilot had disengaged, and the stall warning came on for two seconds.
Earlier reporting noted: “Detailed investigation regarding technical and other aspects are underway.
