Phuket-Delhi flight captain tests positive after altitude loss
India summoned Air India CEO Campbell Wilson after a Phuket-Delhi flight lost about 300 feet, injuring 13 passengers and four crew
- The captain of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test.
- The test was administered after the flight suddenly lost about 300 feet of altitude while flying over India.
- The altitude loss incident resulted in injuries to 13 passengers and four crew members.
- Indian aviation authorities have suspended the captain and are investigating the event as a serious incident.
The captain of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi that suddenly lost about 300 feet of altitude has tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation also summoned Air India chief executive Campbell Wilson on Tuesday (August 11) over the incident, which occurred during a flight from the Thai resort island on August 4.
Wilson told Indian news channels that the airline had briefed the ministry on the status of its investigation.
Air India and the ministry did not respond to requests for comment on the confirmatory test result.
The airline had previously said it had not been informed of the results.
Flight loses about 300 feet over Odisha
Flight AI2379 departed Phuket International Airport for Delhi aboard an Airbus aircraft registered VT-EXO.
The aircraft encountered severe weather before suddenly losing about 300 feet, or roughly 91 metres, of altitude while cruising over the eastern Indian state of Odisha.
It subsequently stabilised and landed safely in Delhi.
The aircraft was an Airbus A320neo carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members.
Indian authorities described what happened as a “momentary altitude variation”.
Thirteen passengers and four crew members were injured.
Indian authorities opened an investigation into the incident.
It had been classified as a serious incident and was under investigation by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
Confirmatory test follows initial screening
The two flight crew members underwent post-flight drug screening under standard procedures.
The captain’s initial screening indicated that further testing for psychoactive substances was required, with a sample sent for confirmatory laboratory analysis.
At the time of the earlier report, India’s civil aviation ministry had not disclosed what substance had been indicated by the screening.
Reuters reported on August 11, citing a source familiar with the matter, that the subsequent confirmatory test was positive for marijuana.
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation had temporarily suspended the two flight crew members while the investigation was under way.
Air India said it routinely conducts drug testing of crew members in line with civil aviation regulations and would continue to cooperate with the authorities.
Air India is majority-owned by the Tata Group, while Singapore Airlines holds a stake of about 25%.
