Air India captain of a Phuket to Delhi flight has tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory laboratory drug test, according to a source familiar with the matter. The same flight suddenly dropped around 300 feet in altitude last week while carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members.
The incident occurred over the eastern Indian state of Odisha. Officials described it as a momentary altitude variation. The aircraft, an Airbus A320neo, landed safely in Delhi. Thirteen passengers and four crew members suffered injuries during the event, bringing the total number of people hurt to 17.
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has opened a full investigation into what happened. Earlier on the same day the positive confirmatory result became known, the ministry summoned Air India CEO Campbell Wilson to discuss the episode. Wilson later told news channels that the airline had already briefed the ministry on the status of its internal probe.
On Sunday the ministry revealed that the captain’s initial screening for psychoactive substances had returned a result that required further laboratory confirmation. At that time Air India stated it had not yet been informed of any final findings. Neither the airline nor the ministry responded to requests for comment after the confirmatory test results were reported.
The flight had departed from the popular Thai tourist destination of Phuket and was heading to the Indian capital when the sudden altitude loss took place. Passengers and crew experienced a brief but alarming drop before the pilots regained control and continued the journey without further trouble. The safe landing in Delhi allowed medical teams to treat those who had been injured.
This development has drawn significant attention because it involves both a serious flight safety event and a positive drug test for the pilot in command. Aviation authorities are examining whether the altitude loss and the drug test result are connected. The confirmatory finding for marijuana now places additional pressure on Air India and its leadership as the official investigation continues.
The case highlights the strict rules that apply to airline crew regarding psychoactive substances and the rapid response required when any safety incident occurs on a commercial flight. Further details are expected once the full probe is complete and both the airline and the ministry issue formal statements.
Air India captain of a Phuket to Delhi flight has tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory laboratory drug test, according to a source familiar with the matter. The same flight suddenly dropped around 300 feet in altitude last week while carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members.
The incident occurred over the eastern Indian state of Odisha. Officials described it as a momentary altitude variation. The aircraft, an Airbus A320neo, landed safely in Delhi. Thirteen passengers and four crew members suffered injuries during the event, bringing the total number of people hurt to 17.
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has opened a full investigation into what happened. Earlier on the same day the positive confirmatory result became known, the ministry summoned Air India CEO Campbell Wilson to discuss the episode. Wilson later told news channels that the airline had already briefed the ministry on the status of its internal probe.
On Sunday the ministry revealed that the captain’s initial screening for psychoactive substances had returned a result that required further laboratory confirmation. At that time Air India stated it had not yet been informed of any final findings. Neither the airline nor the ministry responded to requests for comment after the confirmatory test results were reported.
The flight had departed from the popular Thai tourist destination of Phuket and was heading to the Indian capital when the sudden altitude loss took place. Passengers and crew experienced a brief but alarming drop before the pilots regained control and continued the journey without further trouble. The safe landing in Delhi allowed medical teams to treat those who had been injured.
This development has drawn significant attention because it involves both a serious flight safety event and a positive drug test for the pilot in command. Aviation authorities are examining whether the altitude loss and the drug test result are connected. The confirmatory finding for marijuana now places additional pressure on Air India and its leadership as the official investigation continues.
The case highlights the strict rules that apply to airline crew regarding psychoactive substances and the rapid response required when any safety incident occurs on a commercial flight. Further details are expected once the full probe is complete and both the airline and the ministry issue formal statements.
