Pilot of Air India Flight Under Investigation Following Sudden Altitude Loss and Psychoactive Substance Screening
New Delhi, August 9, 2026 – The pilot-in-command of an Air India flight that experienced a sudden loss of altitude during a Phuket-Delhi journey on August 4 has undergone confirmatory testing for psychoactive substances. An initial screening indicated results requiring further analysis, according to a statement released by the Civil Aviation Ministry on Sunday.
The Airbus A320, operating as flight AI2379, was en route from Phuket to Delhi when it lost approximately 300 feet of altitude during its cruise phase. While the aircraft subsequently stabilized and landed safely in Delhi, several passengers and cabin crew members reported injuries as a result of the incident. The flight was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members.
Following standard operating procedures, both flight crew members were subjected to mandatory psychoactive substance screening. The pilot-in-command’s sample has since been sent to a designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis, with the final report currently pending.
The incident has been officially classified as a serious event and is under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). In response to these developments, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has removed both flight crew members from the roster until the investigation is complete and the confirmatory test results are available. Further action will be determined based on the findings of the investigation and the outcome of the testing process.
