3 weeks ago
Air India Phuket-Delhi pilot on sleep medication, positive for marijuana
An airplane was flying from a city in Thailand to a big city in India.
In the middle of the sky, the plane suddenly dropped about 300 feet, like falling a few floors in a tall building.
Some people on the plane got hurt, but the plane landed safely.
After landing, inspectors wanted to learn what happened.
They gave the pilot a drug test, and the test showed he had marijuana in his body.
The pilot also told investigators he had trouble sleeping and was taking medicine a doctor gave him.
Investigators are checking whether the medicine or the drug caused the plane to drop.
The pilot is not allowed to fly airplanes for now.
Everyone is waiting to see what the investigation finds.
Air India flight AI2379, an Airbus A320neo flying from Phuket to Delhi on 4 August, suddenly lost about 300 feet of altitude during cruise but landed safely.
The pilot-in-command told the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) that he had been experiencing sleep difficulty linked to personal circumstances and was taking medication prescribed by a family doctor.
The pilot said he also struggled to sleep during his layover in Phuket, where he claimed the roster 'compressed available daytime rest.'
A post-flight drug screening returned a non-negative result, and a confirmatory laboratory test was positive for marijuana.
Injury counts vary across sources: the airline's report cited 13 passengers and four crew, while the Press Information Bureau later said 24 people were injured.
- Who
- The pilot-in-command of Air India flight AI2379, who told the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) that he was taking prescribed sleep medication for personal circumstances.
- What
- Flight AI2379 suddenly lost approximately 300 feet of altitude during cruise; the pilot's confirmatory drug test was positive for marijuana, and he disclosed that he had been on sleep medication.
- Where
- En route from Phuket to Delhi; the aircraft landed safely in Delhi.
- When
- The incident occurred on 4 August; the pilot's disclosure was reported on 12 August.
- Why
- Investigators are examining what caused the sudden altitude loss, including the pilot's sleep medication, the positive marijuana test, and rest scheduling during the layover.
Context-driven view
Rule enforcement view
Marijuana test result
Context-driven view
The positive test does not establish when the substance was consumed or whether the pilot was impaired while flying, and the pilot cited prescribed medication for sleep difficulty related to personal circumstances.
Rule enforcement view
Under Rule 24 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, crew cannot consume psychoactive substances within 12 hours before a flight, and the pilot has been taken off the roster while regulators consider action.
Cause of altitude loss
Context-driven view
The pilot claims the roster compressed available daytime rest below the minimum needed for recovery and that sleep did not come easily during the layover, factors worth examining.
Rule enforcement view
Air India initially attributed the altitude drop to turbulence, and investigators have not established any link between the pilot's circumstances and the incident.
Key facts
- Airline
- Air India
- Flight
- AI2379 (Airbus A320neo)
- Route
- Phuket to Delhi
- Incident date
- 4 August
- Altitude loss
- Approximately 300 feet during cruise
- On board
- 137 passengers and 8 crew (2 pilots, 6 cabin crew)
- Injuries
- Airline report: 13 passengers and 4 crew; Press Information Bureau: 24 injured
- Pilot status/test
- Confirmatory test positive for marijuana; both pilots off flying roster
Quotes
Central government official
Official relaying laboratory results
“"During the layover, I personally attempted rest; sleep did not come easily, and I judged that light activity such as walking would be constructive for sleep quality."”
wionews.com
“He was experiencing sleep difficulty over a preceding period related to personal circumstances for which he was prescribed medication by a family doctor.”
livemint.com
Sources
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