The pilot-in-command (PIC) of an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight that rapidly lost altitude last week, causing injuries to 24 people, tested positive for a psychoactive substance during a post-flight screening, people familiar with the developments said on Tuesday.
What Happened
The pilot-in-command (PIC) of the flight tested positive for a psychoactive substance, HT had earlier reported . The pilots have been off-rostered pending a probe. The incident was classified as a serious one and is being investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). “The PDR mentioned that the autopilot disconnected. Soon after the incident, the aircraft stabilised and landed safely in Delhi. As part of prescribed procedures, both pilots underwent a screening for psychoactive substances after the flight landed. Technical glitch responsible for the incident? The AAIB is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, while the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is responsible for regulatory action based on the investigation’s outcome and the prescribed testing process. The incident has been classified as a serious one. Addressing reporters following the meeting, Wilson stated that the briefing was focused on sharing preliminary findings and progress on the ongoing probe into the incident. As the investigative process is ongoing, Air India cannot comment on any findings or observations related to the investigation.
Soon after the incident, the aircraft, with 137 passengers and eight crew members on board, stabilised and landed safely in Delhi. With the AAIB commencing its probe into the August 4 incident, teams from the French air accident investigation agency, Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA), as well as the aircraft’s manufacturer Airbus will assist in the investigation, as per the standard operating procedures. The meeting comes in the backdrop of a serious safety incident on August 4, 2026, involving Air India flight AI2379, operated by an Airbus A320neo carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members. Cruising en route from Phuket to New Delhi, the aircraft experienced a sudden 300-foot altitude drop over Odisha, resulting in injuries to passengers and crew members. Meanwhile, Air India on Monday said it cannot comment on any findings or observations related to the investigation into the Phuket-Delhi flight incident that took place earlier this month, as the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) continues its probe under the provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 13. “The investigation into the incident is being conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13.
Two persons aware of the matter said the pilots mentioned technical issues with the aircraft in the PDR. It also mentioned a stall warning and a flight control ECAM (Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor) message,” said one of these persons, requesting anonymity. The ministry’s release said the main focus of the investigation is to determine the circumstances and contributing factors relating to the incident and to identify appropriate safety measures to prevent recurrence. “The investigation is independent, evidence-based and comprehensive, and no inference regarding the cause of the occurrence should be drawn from any isolated piece of information while the investigation is in progress,” it said. We will continue to extend our full cooperation to relevant authorities as required,” the spokesperson said. “The occurrence has been classified as a Serious Incident and is under investigation by the AAIB,” the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a statement on Sunday.
Earlier, people familiar with the matter cited a preliminary defect report (PDR) prepared by the pilots to suggest that the incident was preceded by multiple technical glitches, including an autopilot disconnection. On Wednesday, Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said two crew members who suffered spinal injuries in the incident remained admitted at Fortis Hospital. Air India’s outgoing Chief Executive Officer, Campbell Wilson, on Tuesday met with senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in New Delhi to provide an update regarding the recent mid-air incident involving a Phuket-Delhi flight.
Investigation and Response
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is engaged in the systematic collection, preservation and examination of all evidence as part of its probe into the sudden loss of altitude of an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight that injured 24 people last month. “In accordance with ICAO Annex 13, Airbus is providing technical assistance to the relevant investigating authorities. “Pending investigation and completion of the prescribed process, both flight crew members have been taken off roster by the DGCA. The airline’s spokesperson, however, did not comment on the development citing the ongoing probe. “As the investigative process is ongoing, Air India cannot comment on any findings or observations related to the investigation. The AAIB is investigating the circumstances surrounding the occurrence, while the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is responsible for regulatory action based on the outcome of the investigation and the prescribed testing process. “The AAIB will conduct a thorough investigation covering all material facts and relevant evidence and will issue its preliminary findings within the stipulated timeframe in accordance with the applicable provisions and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) protocols. Further information will be placed in the public domain at the appropriate stage of the investigation,” it added. “We were just giving an update on the status of the investigation… It is up to him (MoCA Minister) to give an update. We are actively supporting the airline and will provide further information as it becomes available.
Further action, as appropriate, will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation and confirmatory test results,” the civil aviation ministry earlier said. We will continue to extend our full cooperation to relevant authorities as required,” the spokesperson said. It also said that certain records, statements, medical information and other material collected during the investigation are protected and confidential in accordance with the applicable investigation framework. “Maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of the investigation process is essential to a fair, objective and technically sound determination of the facts,” it said. The AAIB remains committed to an independent, transparent and professional investigation, with aviation safety as its overriding objective, it said. A team of specialists is being dispatched to assist with the investigation,” Airbus said in a statement.
