Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Air India pilot reportedly slept during Phuket-Delhi flight drop
An airplane was flying from Phuket in Thailand to Delhi in India.
Suddenly, the plane dropped 300 feet in the sky.
The pilot may have fallen asleep for 30 to 35 minutes during the trip.
He told investigators that he had trouble sleeping before the flight.
He said he was taking medicine to help him sleep, but he did not say which medicine.
Some passengers and crew members got hurt when the plane dropped.
The plane still landed safely in Delhi.
Investigators are checking what happened and why.
Earlier tests found a drug called marijuana in the pilot's body.
Officials have taken both pilots off flying duty while they investigate.
The Air India Airbus A320 (VT-EXO) flying Phuket to Delhi suddenly dropped 300 feet over Odisha on August 4.
The pilot reportedly told AAIB investigators he slept for 30-35 minutes during the flight and had struggled with sleep due to personal circumstances.
He said he was taking medication prescribed by his family doctor for sleep difficulty, but did not identify the medication.
Reports differ on injuries: one cites 13 passengers and four crew; another cites 20 passengers and four cabin crew members.
Earlier reports said the pilot tested positive for marijuana, a second drug screening also reportedly came back positive, and both pilots were removed from flying duties.
- Who
- The unnamed Air India captain of the Phuket-Delhi flight, with the incident probed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
- What
- The aircraft suddenly lost 300 feet of altitude after the pilot reportedly slept for 30-35 minutes, injuring passengers and crew before landing safely in Delhi.
- When
- August 4.
- Where
- Mid-air over Odisha on the Air India Phuket-Delhi route.
- Why
- The pilot reportedly suffered from sleep difficulties due to personal circumstances and was on prescribed medication; earlier reports said he tested positive for marijuana.
- Airline
- Air India
- Aircraft
- Airbus A320 (VT-EXO)
- Route
- Phuket to Delhi
- Incident date
- August 4
- Altitude drop
- 300 feet
- Passengers aboard
- 137 (including 3 infants)
- Reported injuries
- 13 passengers/4 crew per one report; 20 passengers/4 cabin crew per another
- Investigating bodies
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
