Air India pilot faces confirmatory testing after a sudden drop mid-flight left several people hurt. On August 4, an Airbus A320 flying from Phuket to New Delhi lost about 300 feet in what authorities described as turbulence. The aircraft stabilised and landed safely in the capital, yet the sharp descent caused injuries among passengers and crew.
Eight passengers and four cabin crew members were taken to hospital. Their conditions remain stable. Both pilots underwent standard psychoactive substance screening right after the flight. The test for the Pilot-in-Command returned a result that required further checks. Samples have now gone to a designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis. The final report is still awaited.
India’s civil aviation ministry has classified the event as a Serious Incident. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has opened a full probe. Both pilots have been taken off the flying roster until the investigation and test results are complete. Further action will depend on those outcomes.
Videos from the cabin showed luggage scattered across the aisle. Some injured passengers left the airport on stretchers. Air India confirmed that post-flight screening took place but said the results were not shared with the airline at that stage.
This episode adds to recent challenges for the carrier. Tata Group has worked to modernise the fleet and operations since taking over in 2022. The airline has ordered large numbers of new aircraft and integrated group aviation businesses. Delivery delays and regional airspace issues have slowed progress. A major setback came in June 2025 when Flight 171 crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, with heavy loss of life.
Air India recently appointed industry veteran Tewolde Gebremariam, former head of Ethiopian Airlines, as its new CEO. The leadership change aims to steady the airline and restore passenger confidence while the current investigation into the Phuket-Delhi flight continues. Authorities stress that safety remains the top priority as the confirmatory results and full inquiry findings are expected.
