Air India dismisses Delhi-Phuket pilot after drug test, 24 injured in altitude loss
New Delhi: Air India has dismissed the pilot-in-command (PIC) of its Delhi-Phuket flight after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance. The decision, announced on Friday, follows an incident on August 4 in which the aircraft briefly lost altitude, injuring 24 passengers and causing significant cabin damage.
The dismissal comes after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) submitted a preliminary report to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), recommending that action be taken against the pilot on a priority basis. The report said a confirmatory test had found the pilot 'non-negative' for a psychoactive substance.
'The confirmation of use of psychoactive substance is a serious concern and AAIB recommends appropriate actions by DGCA on priority,' the interim report stated. The final investigation report may take up to a year or more to be completed.
According to the report, the aircraft encountered a technical malfunction while cruising. All three hydraulic systems failed, the autopilot disengaged, and a stall warning sounded for two seconds. A stall warning is triggered when an aircraft cannot generate enough lift to remain airborne.
'Initially, it gained 372 ft and fell by 292 ft from its assigned FL (flight level) 360 during the event,' the report noted. A detailed investigation into the technical aspects is still under way.
The co-pilot, who was manning the controls at the time, responded quickly. As the hydraulic systems recovered, flight operations returned to normal. Because the aircraft was at cruising altitude, the seatbelt signs were off, resulting in injuries to passengers and crew members who were not wearing seatbelts.
The cabin sustained internal damage at several points, including cracked or dislodged ceiling panels, bent or broken handrails, and damaged emergency exit and overhead-bin components. One lavatory commode came off, and a crew seat and other components near the rear doors were also damaged.
Under DGCA regulations, pilots are prohibited from consuming any psychoactive substance, and violations can lead to licence suspension or cancellation. The pilot has not been publicly named, and Air India has not issued a detailed statement beyond confirming the dismissal. The AAIB's findings are preliminary, and the final report will examine both technical and human factors in detail.
The incident has raised concerns about pilot substance abuse and aircraft safety protocols, though regulators have stressed that the investigation is ongoing. Air India has stated that it is cooperating fully with the authorities.
