Phuket-Delhi flight turbulence: Air India pilot's psychoactive substance test requires confirmation, DGCA says

Air India's turbulence-hit Phuket-Delhi flight has come under further scrutiny after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the initial psychoactive-substance screening of the pilot-in-command (PIC) indicated a result requiring confirmatory testing.

The development comes after media reports claimed that the pilot had failed a post-flight dope test. However, the DGCA's statement makes clear that the pilot has not been confirmed to have tested positive. The sample has been sent to a designated laboratory and the final report is awaited.

Air India had earlier said it had not received the results of the screening and was therefore not in a position to comment on the findings.

"We are aware that a post-flight screening test was conducted on the pilots in accordance with applicable protocols. However, the results of the test have not been shared with Air India, and we are therefore not in a position to comment on any findings," an airline spokesperson said.

What did DGCA say about the pilot's test?

According to the DGCA, both pilots underwent the prescribed psychoactive-substance screening as part of the standard procedure following the incident.

While the screening of one of the pilots, the PIC, produced a result requiring further examination, the regulator stressed that confirmatory analysis is still pending. Samples have been sent to a designated laboratory for confirmatory testing, with the final report awaited.

Pending the completion of the investigation and prescribed testing process, both pilots have been taken off the roster by the DGCA.

Further action will be decided based on the outcome of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) probe and the confirmatory test.

What happened on Air India flight AI2379?

Air India flight AI2379, operating from Phuket to Delhi on August 4, experienced a sudden loss of altitude of approximately 300 feet during cruise, according to the DGCA.

The aircraft subsequently stabilised and landed safely at Delhi.

The Airbus A320 was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members, comprising two pilots and six cabin crew.

Several passengers and cabin crew members suffered injuries during the incident, although no serious injuries were initially reported.

Air India had said that a small number of passengers and crew members with minor injuries were taken to a medical facility at the airport for precautionary examination and treatment.

AAIB classifies incident as 'Serious Incident'

The DGCA said the occurrence has been classified as a "Serious Incident" and is being investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had earlier said the DGCA was probing the turbulence incident.

Air India says screening results were not shared

Air India had earlier maintained that it conducts regular drug testing of crew members in accordance with civil aviation regulations, independent of any specific flight or operational incident.

The airline said it would cooperate with the authorities as required.