Air India Sacks Phuket-Delhi Pilot Who Failed Drug Test After Mid-Air Incident

Air India has terminated the employment of the pilot-in-command of its Phuket-Delhi flight AI2379 after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance. The decision follows an incident on August 4, when the aircraft lost altitude mid-flight, injuring several passengers.

In a statement, the Tata-owned carrier said it has a zero-tolerance approach to safety violations and regulatory requirements. The airline confirmed the pilot's employment was ended with immediate effect after the positive test result.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in its preliminary probe report, stated that the Airbus A320, carrying 145 people, experienced a near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at 36,000 feet. This led to an autopilot disconnect and a brief stall warning, causing the aircraft to drop about 300 feet. The report noted that 24 passengers were injured during the event.

The preliminary report also revealed that the pilot and co-pilot were subjected to a drug-detection test after landing. While the pilot-in-command tested positive, the co-pilot tested negative. The report recommended appropriate action by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), calling the confirmation of psychoactive substance use a serious concern.

According to the report, the co-pilot was flying the aircraft at the time of the incident and attempted to manage the situation before the pilot-in-command took over. The aircraft briefly gained 372 feet and then fell 292 feet from its assigned altitude before flight controls recovered.

Air India acknowledged the AAIB report and reiterated its commitment to safety. The airline stated that it has initiated voluntary testing of 100% of its pilots as an additional safety measure. It also confirmed that all relevant operational, maintenance, and technical records have been provided to investigators.