Air India sacks Phuket-Delhi pilot who tested positive for drugs, calls it a ‘zero-tolerance’ breach
Air India terminated the services of the pilot-in-command of Phuket-Delhi flight who had tested positive for drug use.
Air India has dismissed the pilot-in-command of its Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance, news agency PTI reported. "The Pilot-in-Command of the Phuket-Delhi flight tested positive for a psychoactive substance. In line with Air India's zero-tolerance approach to violations of safety, fitness or regulatory requirements, the pilot's employment has been terminated with immediate effect," the airline said in a statement.
The action came shortly after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary findings on the flight incident. The investigation body described the confirmed use of the substance by the pilot as a “serious concern” and urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to take appropriate action on priority.
The AAIB's preliminary report said both pilots underwent medical checks after the aircraft reached Delhi. While their breath analyser results were satisfactory, the pilot-in-command's sample returned a non-negative result for a psychoactive substance.
Quick answers to key questions
The pilot was terminated after testing positive for a psychoactive substance, in accordance with Air India's zero-tolerance policy on safety violations.
Following the positive test, the pilot's employment was terminated immediately, and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate actions.
The AAIB classified the incident as an accident, detailing a sudden altitude drop that resulted in injuries to several passengers and crew members.
The AAIB stated that the confirmation of psychoactive substance use raises significant safety concerns, necessitating urgent actions from regulatory bodies to prevent substance abuse among flight crews.
Under DGCA rules, a pilot who tests positive must undergo rehabilitation or de-addiction and can only return to flying after completing the necessary process. A second violation can result in a license suspension.
A subsequent confirmatory blood test also returned a non-negative result. The co-pilot, meanwhile, tested negative.
Although the AAIB flagged the substance finding as a “serious concern”, its preliminary investigation did not conclude that the pilot's drug use caused the aircraft's altitude upset.
The broader probe into the incident, including its technical and operational aspects, is still underway.
Here's what happened
On 4 August, a Delhi-bound Air India flight from Phuket in Thailand encountered 'clear air turbulence', resulting in a change in altitude. While the aircraft made a safe landing at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, reports suggested that at least 14 people, including crew members and passengers, sustained injuries.
Following the incident, Air India released a statement, saying, "Air India confirms that flight AI2379, operating from Phuket to Delhi on 4 August, experienced a brief in-flight turbulence-related event during cruise, resulting in a momentary change in altitude." The company added, "There have been no serious injuries as of now. A small number of passengers and crew members with minor injuries requiring medical assessment have been taken to a medical facility at the airport for precautionary examination and care by Air India’s airport team and medical personnel."
What did the report reveal?
The agency said it has asked the regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), to take appropriate action, news agency PTI reported. Releasing a preliminary report in connection with the 4 August incident, in which an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi, operated with an A320 aircraft, suddenly dropped 300 feet in altitude and left several passengers injured, the AAIB stated that a detailed investigation is currently underway.
In its interim safety recommendation, the probe agency said, "In view of a non-negative result for psychoactive substances for one of the flight crew, it is recommended that DGCA may take appropriate actions as deemed fit to prevent abuse of psychoactive substances."
According to the 10-page initial report, after the flight landed at the Delhi airport, at least 24 people received medical assistance, and at least four of them had sustained serious injuries.
The AAIB said that the pilot-in-command tested non-negative for psychoactive substances in the confirmatory test. It added, "The confirmation of use of psychoactive substances is a serious concern, and AAIB recommends appropriate actions by DGCA on priority."
About the Author
Kanishka Singharia is a Senior Content Producer at Mint with a passion for news, trends, and the stories shaping the digital world. She specialises in spotting viral narratives by constantly tracking social media platforms and turning them into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Her work ranges from fast-paced breaking updates to sensitive human-interest features, blending speed with clarity. <br><br> With over four years of experience in news and trend reporting, Kanishka has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Times and Times Now. She moves seamlessly between profiling business leaders and telling the stories of everyday people, covering national developments just as effortlessly as the memes and conversations that dominate online culture. <br><br> She also reports on real estate developments and civic challenges in major urban hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram. Her coverage frequently explores the struggles of startup founders, inspiring journeys of CEOs, and the experiences of candidates dealing with the complexities of visa processes. <br><br> Kanishka holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Delhi University and a diploma from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Rarely offline, she spends much of her time scrolling through X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook in search of the next big story. When she finally logs off, she enjoys binge-watching shows and exploring cafes in pursuit of good food and better conversations.
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