Air India pilot undergoes confirmatory test after initial screening flags further analysis

The Civil Aviation Ministry said the Air India pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight that lost about 300 feet of altitude has undergone confirmatory testing after an initial psychoactive substance screening required further analysis. Both pilots were removed from the roster pending investigation

New Delhi: The pilot-in-command of an Air India aircraft that experienced a sudden loss of altitude during a Phuket-Delhi flight has undergone confirmatory testing after an initial psychoactive substance screening indicated that the result requires 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.

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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 ministry said in a statement.

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, the ministry said.

Earlier in the day, Air India said it was aware that a post-flight screening test was conducted on the pilots in accordance with applicable protocols. “However, the results of the test have not been shared with Air India, and we are, therefore, not in a position to comment on any findings,” the airline said in a statement.

Air India also said that it undertakes regular drug testing of crew members in compliance with civil aviation regulations, independent of any specific flight or operational incident. “We will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities as required,” it added.

The ministry said that on Tuesday, the flight AI2379 operated with A320 aircraft VT-EXO experienced a sudden loss of altitude of approximately 300 feet during cruise, after which the aircraft stabilised and subsequently landed safely at Delhi.

“During the occurrence, injuries were reported to a few passengers and cabin crew members on board. The aircraft was carrying 137 passengers, including 3 infants, and 8 crew members comprising two pilots and six cabin crew,” it said.