An Air India pilot tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test following a flight incident from Phuket to Delhi [1, 2].
The result raises critical concerns regarding cockpit safety and pilot sobriety, factors that directly impact the lives of hundreds of passengers during international flights.
The incident occurred on Aug. 4, 2024 [1], involving flight AI2379. During the journey, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of approximately 300 feet of altitude [1, 3]. This drop resulted in injuries to several passengers [3].
Following the event, the pilot-in-command underwent drug screening. While initial reports indicated a pending result, sources said that the second, confirmatory test was positive for cannabis [1, 2].
"The pilot-in-command tested positive for marijuana in the confirmatory dope test," an unnamed source said [2].
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu addressed the safety breach. "There can be no compromise on flight safety," Naidu said.
The sudden altitude loss is alleged to have been caused by impaired performance due to the pilot's drug use [1, 4]. Air India has not issued a formal statement regarding the pilot's current employment status, but the confirmatory test serves as a secondary verification of the initial screening failure [2].
“"There can be no compromise on flight safety."”
This incident highlights a significant failure in pre-flight screening and safety protocols. A positive confirmatory test for a pilot-in-command suggests a breach of aviation regulations that could lead to stricter drug testing mandates for crews operating international routes, particularly those originating from regions where cannabis laws vary.
