Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Air India Sacks Pilot After Non-Negative Drug Test
Air India dismissed a pilot after a drug test was reported as “non-negative.”
The pilot was assigned to a flight from Phuket to Delhi.
During the flight, the plane experienced hydraulic failures.
The seat-belt signs were off at the time.
Some passengers and crew members were not wearing seat belts.
They were thrown against the ceiling and injured.
Investigators recorded what happened in a preliminary report.
The report did not say that the pilot’s drug-test result caused the plane’s technical problem.
Air India dismissed a pilot assigned to a Phuket–Delhi flight after a drug test produced a “non-negative” result.
The aircraft was cruising with seat-belt signs switched off when passengers and crew were reportedly thrown against the ceiling.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s preliminary report documented hydraulic-system failures and resulting injuries.
The report did not establish a direct connection between the pilot’s test result and the aircraft’s technical malfunction.
The pilot’s identity and the date of the incident were not stated.
- Who
- Air India and a pilot assigned to a Phuket–Delhi flight; passengers and crew were also affected.
- What
- Air India dismissed the pilot after a drug test returned a “non-negative” result, while the aircraft experienced hydraulic failures that caused injuries.
- When
- The date was not stated; the incident occurred while the aircraft was cruising.
- Where
- On a Phuket–Delhi flight.
- Why
- Air India dismissed the pilot because of the reported “non-negative” drug-test result; the cause of the hydraulic failures was not linked to that result in the preliminary report.
- Airline
- Air India
- Flight route
- Phuket to Delhi
- Employment action
- The pilot was dismissed.
- Drug-test result
- Reported as “non-negative.”
- Technical issue
- The preliminary report documented hydraulic failures.
- Reported injuries
- Passengers and crew were thrown against the ceiling and injured.
- Investigation finding
- The preliminary report did not establish a direct link between the drug-test result and the technical malfunction.