Air India Phuket-Delhi Pilot Tested Positive for Psychoactive Substance: AAIB
AAIB preliminary report says Air India pilot tested positive for psychoactive substances after Phuket-Delhi flight incident.
A preliminary investigation into an Air India flight that suffered a mid-air upset has found that the pilot-in-command tested positive for a psychoactive substance. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has flagged the confirmation as a serious concern and recommended priority action by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
The incident occurred on flight A12379 from Phuket to Delhi, which experienced a 300-foot altitude drop during the cruise phase over Odisha. The aircraft, an Airbus A320, suffered a loss of all three hydraulic systems — green, blue, and yellow — before they were sequentially recovered, restoring flight controls.
According to the report, both pilots underwent post-flight breath analyser tests at Delhi airport, which were satisfactory. However, a psychoactive substance screening of the pilot-in-command returned non-negative. A subsequent confirmatory blood test also came back positive. The co-pilot tested negative in both tests.
The report noted that the co-pilot, who was the pilot flying, initially responded to the hydraulic failure before the commander took over controls. During the event, the aircraft gained 372 feet and then fell 292 feet from its assigned altitude of FL360.
The flight carried 145 persons — 137 passengers, including three infants, six cabin crew, and two pilots. At least 20 passengers and four crew members sustained injuries. The cabin sustained damage to overhead bins and ceiling panels.
Pre-departure inspections in Phuket recorded no discrepancies beyond an already invoked Minimum Equipment List item. The final investigation report is expected later.