Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Air India Pilot Failed Two Dope Tests After Phuket-Delhi Flight
An airplane called Air India was flying from Phuket to Delhi.
Suddenly, the plane dropped a little bit in the sky and some people on board got hurt.
Safety investigators started looking into what happened.
They checked the pilot, the person who flies the plane.
The pilot had to take special tests called dope tests.
The tests showed something called marijuana in his body.
Marijuana is a drug that can make people feel sleepy or act strangely.
The pilot said he never took any drugs at all.
Before the flight, the pilot had a party with the crew in Phuket.
Investigators are still asking questions to find out what really happened.
Air India flight AI-2379, carrying 137 passengers and 8 crew, suddenly lost about 300 feet of altitude during cruise on August 4, injuring at least 20 passengers and 4 crew members.
Sources said the pilot-in-command allegedly failed two dope tests that showed marijuana in his system, but the pilot denied taking any psychotropic drugs.
The pilot was reportedly found seated on the cockpit floor when the altitude loss occurred and, after landing, needed physical help from an AAIB investigator while giving a urine sample.
The pilot had arranged a party for the crew during a layover of less than 24 hours in Phuket to make up with a cabin attendant he had reprimanded on an earlier flight.
A cabin crew member filed a complaint alleging the pilot smoked pot, and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is questioning both pilots and cabin crew as the probe continues.
- Who
- The unnamed pilot-in-command of Air India flight AI-2379, along with passengers, cabin crew, and investigators from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
- What
- The aircraft suddenly lost about 300 feet of altitude during cruise, injuring passengers and crew, and the pilot allegedly failed two dope tests showing marijuana in his system.
- When
- August 4; the investigation is ongoing.
- Where
- On board Air India flight AI-2379 during its route from Phuket to Delhi.
- Why
- Investigators are examining the pilot's condition and alleged positive drug tests, along with the circumstances of the sudden dive, to determine what caused the altitude loss.
Pilot's Denial
Sources and Crew Allegations
Drug use allegations
Pilot's Denial
The pilot denied consuming any psychotropic drugs.
Sources and Crew Allegations
Sources said the pilot failed two dope tests showing marijuana in his system, and a cabin crew member filed a complaint alleging he smoked pot.
Cause of the midair drop
Pilot's Denial
The pilot being found on the cockpit floor could have been the result of the impact of the sudden altitude loss rather than evidence of a problem.
Sources and Crew Allegations
Investigators are looking at the pilot's alleged drug use and his condition, including why he was on the cockpit floor, as possible factors behind the sudden dive.
- Airline
- Air India
- Flight
- AI-2379 (Phuket to Delhi)
- Incident date
- August 4
- Altitude lost
- About 300 feet during cruise
- On board
- 137 passengers and 8 crew members
- Injured
- At least 20 passengers and 4 crew members
- Alleged test results
- Failed two dope tests; marijuana detected
- Investigating agency
- Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
