In Brief:
- The Air India pilot of a turbulence-hit flight tested positive for marijuana.
- A passenger said the pilot appeared high with red eyes and asked not to record.
- The flight landed safely in Delhi after turbulence near Phuket.
- Authorities confirmed pilot's positive drug test and initiated an investigation.
The pilot-in-command of Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi tested positive for marijuana following a mid-air incident on August 4 that left 20 passengers and four crew members injured.
The Airbus experienced a sudden 300-foot altitude drop before landing safely in Delhi, where mandatory post-flight drug testing confirmed the presence of marijuana in the captain's system.
Investigators are now determining whether the drop was caused by severe turbulence or compounded by technical failures, as preliminary flight logs noted autopilot disengagement and stall warnings before manual recovery.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has off-rostered the flight crew, and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal investigation alongside international aviation safety bodies.
