On August 4, Air India aircraft from Phuket to Delhi suddenly lost around 300 feet in altitude, leaving 24 passengers and crew members injured. The incident also triggered mandatory psychoactive substance testing for both pilots. According to reports, the Pilot-in-Command’s initial screening required further testing, so his sample was sent to a designated laboratory for confirmation. The confirmatory test has now reportedly come back positive for marijuana. Here’s what we know about the incident so far.
Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight’s Pilot Was High On Marijuana?
According to Hindustan Times, the Pilot-in-Command of the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight has reportedly tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory laboratory test. The pilot’s initial drug screening had returned a “non-negative” result, prompting authorities to send the sample for further testing. The subsequent confirmatory test has now reportedly detected marijuana in the pilot’s sample.
A source told NDTV that the incident occurred while the co-pilot was in command of the Airbus A320neo and the Pilot-in-Command was reportedly away from his seat. The aircraft suddenly dropped by around 300 feet, triggering a ‘negative-G’ situation that briefly lifted the pilot and loose objects inside the cockpit off their seats.
The sudden movement also affected passengers and crew who were not strapped in, leaving several people injured. The exact cause of the altitude drop, whether linked to pilot input, a technical issue or a hydraulic malfunction, remains under investigation.
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AI-2379’s Sudden Drop Injured Several Passengers Onboard
AI-2379, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, was flying from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when it suddenly lost about 300 feet of altitude. The incident left 20 passengers and four crew members injured. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said two crew members suffered spinal injuries around the tailbone and neck.
Reports suggest that since the incident, both pilots have been taken off the roster while the incident is being investigated. Amid all this, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has also urged people not to jump to conclusions based on individual details, saying it will examine the technical, operational, medical and human factors involved.
Investigators are also looking into reports of several technical issues during the flight. Sources said the aircraft’s autopilot disconnected, followed by multiple hydraulic failures and other glitches. The co-pilot reportedly took manual control after the autopilot disconnected, following which a flight-control stall warning appeared and some indicator switches briefly went off.
Also Read: Plane Crash Averted At Mumbai Airport After 2 Air India Flights Come Face-To-Face On Runway
Cover Image Courtesy: X/airindia & X/@shashank_ssj
FAQs
What happened on Air India flight AI-2379 from Phuket to Delhi?
Air India flight AI-2379, flying from Phuket to Delhi on August 4, suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude during its cruise. The incident left several passengers and crew members injured.
What happened to the pilots after the incident?
Both pilots were taken off roster while an investigation into the incident is underway.
What did the doping test reveal about the Phuket-Delhi Air India flight pilots?
Both pilots underwent mandatory psychoactive substance screening after the incident. While the Pilot-in-Command’s initial test was reported as “non-negative”, a subsequent confirmatory laboratory test reportedly detected marijuana in his sample.
