Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Air India Pilot Tests Positive for Marijuana After Mid-Air Drop
A pilot flew a big airplane from Phuket to Delhi carrying 137 passengers.
During the flight, the plane suddenly dropped about 300 feet in the air.
That is like falling from a very tall building.
The pilots managed to steady the plane and it landed safely.
But 24 people on the flight got hurt.
After landing, the pilots took special tests to make sure they were okay to fly.
The test showed that the captain had used marijuana, which is not allowed for pilots.
Both pilots are now not allowed to fly while grown-ups investigate what happened.
The leaders who look after flying in India asked the head of Air India to come and talk to them.
The airplane company Airbus is helping with the investigation too.
The captain of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test, according to a source.
The Airbus A320neo suddenly dropped around 300 feet over Odisha on August 4 before landing safely in Delhi.
India's civil aviation ministry summoned Air India CEO Campbell Wilson on Tuesday over the incident.
Both pilots have been removed from flying duty pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau put the number of injured at 24, higher than the 17 earlier reported by the airline.
- Who
- The captain of an Air India flight, who tested positive for marijuana, along with Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, the civil aviation ministry, Airbus and France's BEA.
- What
- An Air India Airbus A320neo dropped about 300 feet mid-air, and the flight's captain later tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test.
- When
- The flight incident occurred on August 4; the civil aviation ministry summoned the CEO and the test result was reported on Tuesday, August 11.
- Where
- Over the eastern Indian state of Odisha, on a flight from Phuket to Delhi.
- Why
- Investigators are examining the sudden altitude loss, unconfirmed reports of technical snags, and the captain's positive drug test, in an incident that injured 24 people.
- Aircraft
- Airbus A320neo
- Route
- Phuket to Delhi
- Passengers and crew
- 137 passengers and 8 crew
- Incident date
- August 4 (over Odisha, India)
- Altitude drop
- Around 300 feet
- People injured
- 24 per the investigation bureau (airline earlier reported 17)
- Pilot test result
- Captain positive for marijuana in a confirmatory test
- Action taken
- Both pilots removed from flying duty; CEO summoned by the civil aviation ministry