Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Air India CEO Updates Centre on Phuket-Delhi Altitude Loss Probe
An Air India plane flying from Phuket to Delhi suddenly dropped in the sky, and a few people on board got hurt.
After that, the people in charge of keeping flying safe wanted to find out exactly what went wrong.
Air India's boss, Campbell Wilson, went to talk to the government officials who look after aviation to tell them how the investigation is going.
The government's aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, said that safety is the most important thing and nothing should be allowed to risk it.
Some news reports said that one of the pilots tested positive for an illegal drug called marijuana.
The official investigators said people should not make up their minds before all the facts are carefully checked.
While the investigation is happening, both pilots of that flight are not allowed to fly.
The investigators are looking at the plane, its flight data, records and interviews to understand what caused the sudden drop.
They want to use what they learn to stop something like this from happening again.
Air India's outgoing CEO Campbell Wilson updated the civil aviation ministry and DGCA on the investigation into the Phuket-Delhi flight incident.
The flight lost altitude mid-air last week, injuring several passengers.
PTI reported the pilot-in-command tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory test, after an initial screening flagged the result for further analysis.
Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said aviation safety is the topmost priority and the ministry is ready to tweak regulations if substance abuse is found.
AAIB urged media and the public not to draw conclusions from incomplete or unverified information, saying it is still examining all evidence.
- Who
- Air India's outgoing CEO Campbell Wilson, civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
- What
- The government received an update on the investigation into an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight that lost altitude, injuring passengers; the pilot-in-command reportedly tested positive for marijuana
- When
- Wilson met officials on Tuesday; the incident occurred last week
- Where
- Aircraft on the Phuket-Delhi route; probe updates given at the civil aviation ministry in India
- Why
- To determine the causes of the mid-air altitude loss, assess possible substance use by the pilot, and prevent recurrence
Media reporting of drug test
AAIB investigation caution
Pilot drug test result
Media reporting of drug test
Media reports, citing PTI, say the pilot-in-command tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory test after an initial screening flagged the sample for further analysis.
AAIB investigation caution
The AAIB says conclusions must not be drawn from incomplete, unverified or selectively available information, and investigation material is confidential under the applicable framework.
Substance use regulation
Media reporting of drug test
Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu says the ministry takes substance abuse very seriously and is ready to tweak existing regulations if needed.
AAIB investigation caution
The AAIB stresses all evidence — technical, operational, medical and human-factor — must be examined in full before any conclusions, with the sole objective of improving safety.
- Airline
- Air India
- Route
- Phuket to Delhi
- Incident
- Mid-air altitude loss that injured several passengers
- Investigation agencies
- Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), civil aviation ministry
- Pilot status
- Both pilots taken off the flight roster
- Drug test report
- PTI reports pilot-in-command tested positive for marijuana in confirmatory test; AAIB warns against premature conclusions
- Regulatory response
- Minister says ministry ready to tweak regulations if substance abuse is found