Air India dismisses Delhi-Phuket pilot after positive drug test

Air India has terminated the services of the pilot-in-command of its Delhi-Phuket flight after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test. The decision, announced on Friday, follows an interim report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) that recommended urgent action against the pilot.

The case stems from an incident on August 4, when the aircraft briefly lost altitude mid-flight, resulting in injuries to 24 passengers. The AAIB's preliminary findings noted that the pilot's test result was "non-negative" and flagged the confirmed use of such substances as a serious concern warranting priority action by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). A final report on the matter may take a year or more to be released.

According to the investigation, the sudden loss of altitude saw all three hydraulic systems fail, the autopilot disengage, and a stall warning activate for two seconds. The aircraft initially climbed 372 feet before dropping 292 feet from its assigned flight level of 360. The co-pilot, who was at the controls, responded swiftly, and normal operations resumed once the hydraulic systems recovered.

The report added that because the aircraft was cruising, the seatbelt sign was off, leading to injuries among passengers and crew. The cabin sustained significant damage, including cracked ceiling panels, bent handrails, and damage to emergency exits and overhead bins. One lavatory commode was dislodged, and a crew seat near the rear doors was also damaged. A detailed technical investigation into the event is still underway.