Air India pilot's test result awaited after mid-air altitude drop incident
New Delhi: The pilot-in-command of an Air India flight that experienced a sudden loss of altitude during a Phuket-Delhi journey has undergone confirmatory testing after an initial psychoactive substance screening indicated a result requiring further analysis, the Civil Aviation Ministry said on Sunday.
The Airbus A320, operating flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi on August 4, lost about 300 feet of altitude during cruise before stabilising and landing safely in Delhi. A few passengers and cabin crew members reported injuries during the incident. The aircraft was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members.
According to the Ministry, both flight crew members underwent mandatory psychoactive substance screening following the incident, as required under standard operating procedures. The pilot-in-command's sample was sent to a designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis, with the final report awaited.
The incident has been classified as a serious incident and is being investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Pending completion of the investigation and testing process, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken both flight crew members off the roster. Further action will be based on the investigation findings and confirmatory test results.
Psychoactive substance screening is a routine part of post-incident procedures in civil aviation. The initial screening is a preliminary step, and confirmatory laboratory tests are used to verify results with higher accuracy. The Ministry's statement emphasised that the confirmation analysis is ongoing, and no conclusions about the cause of the incident should be drawn until all facts are established.
The safety of the aircraft and passengers was not compromised during the landing, and the flight crew is cooperating with the investigation. Aviation experts note that altitude loss incidents can have multiple causes, including weather, technical malfunction, or human factors, and the AAIB's inquiry will determine the sequence of events.
The Ministry has assured that appropriate action will be taken once the investigation and test results are complete. The identity of the crew members has not been disclosed, respecting their privacy and the legal process.
