Archive · 4 Sep 2026
AAIB Reports Positive Pilot Substance Test After Air India Incident
An Air India plane flying from Phuket to Delhi suddenly changed height during its flight.
It first went up and then dropped by about 300 feet while flying very high over Odisha.
The plane had 145 people on board.
Twenty passengers and four crew members were injured, and four people had serious injuries.
Investigators classified the event as an accident after reviewing the injuries and other evidence.
The pilot-in-command’s test for psychoactive substances was non-negative in a confirmatory test.
Reports said the substance was marijuana, although the detailed investigation is still continuing.
Investigators are checking the plane’s systems, the crew, and other records.
Air India said it is cooperating and has started voluntary testing of all its pilots.
Air India Flight AI 2379 lost about 300 feet while cruising at 36,000 feet over Odisha on August 4.
The Airbus A320-251N was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, or 145 people in total.
Twenty passengers and four crew members were injured; four people reportedly suffered serious injuries.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau found the pilot-in-command’s confirmatory substance test non-negative and called it a serious concern.
The AAIB recommended priority action by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation while its detailed investigation continues.
- Who
- Air India Flight AI 2379, its 137 passengers and eight crew members, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation were involved.
- What
- The Airbus A320-251N experienced an altitude upset, initially gaining 372 feet and then falling 292 feet, while the pilot-in-command returned a non-negative confirmatory test for a psychoactive substance.
- When
- The incident occurred on August 4; the AAIB preliminary report was released on Friday, with the detailed investigation still underway.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from Phuket to Delhi and experienced the altitude change while cruising over Odisha; post-flight screening took place in Delhi.
- Why
- The exact cause remains under investigation. The AAIB is examining technical, operational, medical, human-factor, and other evidence.
Regulatory and Investigative Response
Airline Safety Response
Pilot substance test
Regulatory and Investigative Response
The AAIB called the pilot-in-command’s confirmed non-negative psychoactive-substance result a serious concern and recommended priority action by the DGCA.
Airline Safety Response
Air India said it has zero tolerance for breaches of safety, fitness, or regulatory requirements and has begun voluntary testing of all its pilots.
Next steps
Regulatory and Investigative Response
The government and AAIB are pursuing the investigation, with officials saying further action will follow the report and that stronger measures may be considered.
Airline Safety Response
Air India said it is cooperating with the investigation while the AAIB continues examining technical and other aspects of the incident.
- Flight
- Air India Flight AI 2379
- Aircraft
- Airbus A320-251N, registration VTEXO
- Route
- Phuket to Delhi
- People on board
- 145 people: 137 passengers, two pilots, and six cabin crew
- Altitude event
- The aircraft was at 36,000 feet, initially gained 372 feet, then fell 292 feet
- Injuries
- Twenty passengers and four crew members were injured; four people received classification as serious injuries
- Safety recommendation
- AAIB recommended that DGCA take appropriate action on priority after the pilot-in-command’s non-negative confirmatory test
Sources
Preliminary AAIB report on Air India Phuket-Delhi flight incident soon, says Ram Mohan Naidu
Preliminary AAIB report on Air India Phuket-Delhi flight incident soon: Civil Aviation Minister
Investigation reveals Air India Phuket flight pilot tested positive for psychoactive substance - Telegraph India
AAIB Confirms Pilot On Phuket Flight Was Stoned
