Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Air India Pilot Tests Positive for Marijuana After Turbulence Probe
A big airplane called Air India flight AI-2379 was flying from Phuket to New Delhi.
While flying high above Odisha, it suddenly dropped about 300 feet in just two seconds.
Several passengers and crew members were hurt in the sudden fall.
After the plane landed, both pilots were taken off flying duty.
Tests showed that the pilot who was in charge had used marijuana, which is against the rules.
The government sent a warning to all airlines in India saying this must never happen again.
The airline also told the plane maker Airbus that the aircraft may have had system problems.
Investigators are still checking the weather, the airplane, and the pilots to find out what really caused the drop.
They want to make sure flying stays safe for everyone.
Air India flight AI-2379 suddenly dropped about 300 feet in two seconds over Odisha on August 4, injuring around 20 passengers and four crew members.
The pilot-in-command tested positive for marijuana in confirmatory laboratory testing after an initial 'non-negative' psychoactive substance screening.
Both pilots were taken off flight duty immediately upon arrival in New Delhi.
MoCA issued a strict warning to all Indian carriers that such episodes must never recur and summoned Air India's outgoing CEO Campbell Wilson.
Air India wrote to Airbus claiming the aircraft suffered system failures before the event, while the AAIB examines technical and human factors with France's BEA participating.
- Who
- The pilot-in-command of Air India flight AI-2379, who tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory test, along with around 20 injured passengers, four crew members, and Indian aviation regulators.
- What
- A sudden 300-foot altitude drop triggered a safety investigation that found the pilot had used marijuana, prompting a strict warning to all Indian airlines.
- When
- August 4 for the flight incident; the confirmatory test result was announced on a Tuesday.
- Where
- Over Odisha, India, on a flight from Phuket to New Delhi.
- Why
- To determine the cause of the sudden descent and prevent recurrence, with investigators examining clear air turbulence, possible system failures, and pilot impairment.
Technical or Environmental Cause
Human Factor Cause
Cause of the sudden altitude drop
Technical or Environmental Cause
The drop was initially seen as an instance of clear air turbulence, and Air India wrote to Airbus claiming the aircraft suffered system failures, including possible hydraulic issues, before the event.
Human Factor Cause
The investigation's focus shifted to the pilot-in-command after confirmatory tests showed marijuana use, and MoCA issued a strict warning that such episodes must never recur.
When to assign blame
Technical or Environmental Cause
The incident caused global embarrassment, prompting immediate action such as summoning Air India's outgoing CEO and warnings to all carriers.
Human Factor Cause
The civil aviation ministry said no inference about the cause should be drawn from any isolated piece of information while the independent, evidence-based investigation is in progress.
- Flight
- AI-2379
- Route
- Phuket to New Delhi
- Incident date
- August 4
- Altitude drop
- Approximately 300 feet in two seconds
- Injuries
- Around 20 passengers and 4 crew members (one headline cites 17 injured)
- Pilot test result
- Positive for marijuana in confirmatory laboratory testing
- Aircraft manufacturer
- Airbus
- Regulator
- Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)
