- Air India pilot on the Phuket-Delhi flight tested positive for marijuana and experienced sleep difficulty, according to sources.
- The injured count was revised from 14 to 24, which includes four cabin crew members and 20 passengers.
An Air India pilot on flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi tested positive for marijuana and reported sleep difficulties, raising serious safety concerns. The pilot, who was on medication prescribed by a family doctor, experienced sleep issues related to personal circumstances and struggled to rest during layovers.1
The incident occurred on August 4 when the Airbus A320neo plunged 300 feet, initially attributed to turbulence by the airline. However, the Press Information Bureau later revised the number of injured from 14 to 24, including four cabin crew members and 20 passengers.2
Following the flight, both pilots underwent drug testing, with the pilot-in-command's preliminary test returning a “non-negative” result, prompting further investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The AAIB is now examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, while the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will take regulatory action based on the findings.
The pilot's statement to the AAIB revealed his ongoing sleep difficulties, which he attributed to personal issues, raising questions about the implications for passenger safety. Both pilots have been off-rostered pending the outcome of the investigation.
“The Press Information Bureau revised the injured count upward from 14 to 24, including four cabin crew members and 20 passengers. The flight carried 137 passengers, six cabin crew, and two pilots.”
