AAIB Probe Finds Air India Pilot Tested Positive for Psychoactive Substance After Phuket Flight Incident
AAIB investigation into Air India's Delhi-Phuket flight that lost altitude after hydraulic failure reveals pilot tested positive for psychoactive substances.
India's aircraft accident investigation body has flagged that a pilot of an Air India flight from Delhi to Phuket tested positive for a psychoactive substance following an in-flight emergency. The disclosure came as part of the probe into the incident, during which the aircraft briefly lost altitude after all hydraulic systems failed and the autopilot disengaged.
The flight, carrying passengers from Delhi to the Thai resort island, experienced a sudden drop in altitude that led to injuries among 24 passengers. The cabin also sustained visible damage, including cracked ceilings and an uprooted commode, indicating the severity of the turbulence or the forces experienced during the event.
The positive test result for the pilot has added a new dimension to the investigation, raising questions about crew fitness and adherence to safety protocols. However, the full circumstances leading to the hydraulic failure and the pilot's condition at the time of the flight remain under scrutiny.
The incident underscores the critical importance of rigorous pre-flight health checks and the need for transparent investigation to ensure passenger safety. Authorities are expected to release further details as the probe progresses.