New Delhi — Disturbing details have emerged regarding the pilot of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi last week, which experienced a sudden loss of altitude and resulted in passenger injuries. Sources have confirmed to NDTV that the pilot in command tested positive for marijuana in two separate dope tests.
Further investigations by NDTV reveal that the pilot was found seated on the cockpit floor when the stall warning occurred as the aircraft abruptly lost altitude. This could potentially be attributed to the impact of the sudden descent. Upon landing, the pilot reportedly struggled to stand upright. An accident investigator from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) noted the pilot was being monitored by CCTV and required assistance to sit down. The AAIB officer also physically aided the pilot in providing a urine sample.
Despite the positive test results for marijuana, the pilot has denied consuming any psychotropic substances. Additionally, at least one cabin crew member has reportedly filed a complaint alleging the pilot was smoking pot.
Sources have also provided a sequence of events leading up to the incident. The pilot had reportedly taken the crew to a party in Phuket during a layover of less than 24 hours, intending to reconcile with a crew member he had reprimanded on the preceding flight from Delhi to Phuket. During that earlier flight, the pilot had briefly left the cockpit, adhering to protocol by having a cabin attendant occupy his seat. Sources indicate that this attendant was not proficient in handling the pilot’s seat operations, leading to the reprimand.
On the return flight from Phuket to Delhi, the same cabin attendant reportedly requested to work in the aft section of the aircraft, expressing a desire to avoid proximity to the cockpit.
Following the sudden 300-foot drop in altitude, which injured both crew and passengers, the pilot reportedly entered the cabin to check on the injured. According to sources, he instructed passengers not to film him and was observed in the cabin with one sock and shoe missing.
The flight, AI-2379, was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members when it experienced the unexpected altitude loss during its cruise phase on August 4. Approximately 20 passengers and four crew members sustained injuries. Both pilots and the cabin crew are currently undergoing questioning by the AAIB as part of the ongoing investigation.
