Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Air India pilot tests positive for marijuana after Phuket-Delhi plunge
An airplane was flying from Phuket in Thailand to New Delhi in India.
During the trip, it hit rough air and suddenly dropped about 300 feet, which is almost as tall as a very big building.
Because of the sudden drop, some people on the plane got hurt and needed doctors.
The pilots still managed to land the plane safely.
After landing, the pilots had to take a test to check whether they had used any drugs.
The test result for the main pilot showed something that needed another check, so a sample was sent to a special laboratory.
Sources later said the main pilot tested positive for marijuana, a psychoactive substance, in the confirmatory test.
Because of this, both pilots are not allowed to fly until the investigation is finished.
Officials are also checking reports that the plane had technical problems, like the autopilot stopping.
Everyone is waiting for the final answers.
An Air India Airbus A320 flight AI2379 from Phuket, Thailand, to New Delhi lost about 300 feet of altitude during turbulence on August 4, injuring 17 people.
About a week later, sources said the pilot-in-command tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory psychoactive substance test, although the ministry said the final laboratory report was awaited.
Both pilots were taken off the flying roster, and the DGCA classified the occurrence as a 'serious incident,' triggering a formal Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) probe.
Investigators secured the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder and are examining reports of technical anomalies, including an autopilot disconnect, triple hydraulic failures and a flight-control stall message; Airbus and France's BEA are assisting the probe.
The ministry of civil aviation summoned Air India CEO Campbell Wilson over the incident, while the airline has appointed former Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam as its new CEO.
- Who
- Air India's pilot-in-command and co-pilot of flight AI2379; India's Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are handling the response, and Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed the DGCA is investigating.
- What
- The Airbus A320 suddenly lost about 300 feet of altitude during mid-air turbulence; the pilot-in-command reportedly tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test, and the incident is under formal investigation.
- When
- The flight incident occurred on August 4, and the reported confirmatory test result emerged on Tuesday, about a week later.
- Where
- En route from Phuket, Thailand, to New Delhi, India; the altitude loss occurred while the aircraft was flying over the eastern Indian state of Odisha.
- Why
- Mid-air turbulence caused the sudden drop, and a routine post-flight psychoactive substance screening of the pilot-in-command produced a result requiring confirmatory testing.
Official position
Sourced reports
Drug test outcome
Official position
The Ministry of Civil Aviation's official statement said the pilot-in-command's initial screening required confirmatory testing, samples were sent to a designated laboratory and the final report is awaited, so a positive result has not been officially confirmed.
Sourced reports
Sources and a Hindustan Times report say the pilot-in-command has tested positive for marijuana in the confirmatory screening test, about a week after the incident.
Cause of the altitude loss
Official position
The government initially described the event as a 'momentary altitude variation' caused by mid-air turbulence on the Phuket-Delhi route.
Sourced reports
Investigators are examining reports of multiple technical and mechanical anomalies — an autopilot disconnect, triple hydraulic failures and a flight-control stall message — to determine whether they were connected to the drop.
- Airline
- Air India (majority-owned by Tata Group; Singapore Airlines holds roughly 25%)
- Flight number
- AI2379
- Aircraft
- Airbus A320 (reported as A320neo by the civil aviation ministry)
- Route
- Phuket, Thailand to New Delhi, India
- Incident date
- August 4
- Altitude lost
- About 300 feet (91 metres)
- People on board
- 137 passengers and 8 crew (145 total); 17 injured (13 passengers and 4 crew)
- Drug test result
- Confirmatory test reportedly positive for marijuana; ministry said final laboratory report awaited
