Air India Pilot: Positive Marijuana Test Confirmed After Severe Phuket Delhi Turbulence

A significant development has emerged in the investigation of the Air India flight turbulence incident that occurred on the Phuket to Delhi route, while according to sources, the pilot-in-command of the aircraft has tested positive for a prohibited substance in a second, confirmatory dope test. This follows an earlier screening where the pilot had already tested positive, indicating that the individual was operating the aircraft under the influence of a banned narcotic. The incident, which took place on August 4, involved Air India flight AI2379, which encountered severe turbulence during its journey from Phuket to Delhi.

Confirmatory Test Results and Pilot Status

The investigation into the severe air jolts experienced by the flight has revealed a critical safety breach. Sources indicate that the confirmatory test, which is a detailed analysis conducted after an initial screening, has returned a positive result for the pilot-in-command. Initially, the pilot's screening test was marked as non-negative, prompting the authorities to send the samples to an authorized laboratory for a more comprehensive and detailed analysis. The results from this specialized lab have now confirmed the presence of marijuana in the pilot's system, making the situation extremely serious for the airline and the aviation industry. While the pilot-in-command failed the test, the co-pilot's results showed no such issues, clearing them of any substance use.

Details of the August 4 Incident

The incident occurred on August 4 when the Air India Airbus A320 flight, designated as AI2379, was en route from Phuket to Delhi. During the flight, the aircraft experienced a sudden and violent drop of approximately 300 feet in the air. At the time of this severe turbulence, there were 137 passengers and 8 crew members on board. The sudden loss of altitude caused significant distress and physical harm to those inside the cabin, while upon the flight's safe landing in Delhi, the extent of the injuries became clear. A total of 13 passengers and 4 crew members required immediate medical attention and had to be admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Official Response from Air India

In response to the findings, an Air India spokesperson stated on Monday that the airline can't comment on specific details or findings related to the ongoing investigation of the Phuket-Delhi flight incident. The spokesperson explained that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is currently conducting an inquiry into the matter under the regulations of ICAO Annex 13. The airline emphasized that since the investigation process is still active, it isn't in a position to comment on any conclusions or specific information, while however, Air India has committed to providing full cooperation to the relevant authorities as required throughout the investigative process.

Technical Support from Airbus

The aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, has also issued a statement regarding the incident. The company confirmed that it's providing technical assistance to the investigating authorities in accordance with ICAO Annex 13. Airbus stated that they're in constant communication with the airline and will provide further updates as more information becomes available, while to assist with the technical aspects of the investigation, a team of experts is being dispatched to provide on-ground support and analysis.

High-Level Meetings and Safety Review

Following the incident, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson held a high-level meeting on Tuesday with senior airline officials and government representatives, while the meeting included Civil Aviation Secretary Sameer Kumar Sinha and other key figures to discuss the turbulence event that left at least 17 people injured. The discussions were attended by prominent leaders, including Pradeep Singh Kharola, the former Civil Aviation Secretary and current Executive Advisor to Tata Sons, as well as Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, while also present was Deepak Joshi, the head of flight safety for Air India. The meeting focused on the circumstances surrounding the AI2379 flight and the subsequent safety protocols being reviewed in light of the pilot's positive drug test.