The captain of Air India flight AI2379 tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test following a sudden mid-air altitude drop [1], [2].
The incident raises critical questions about cockpit safety and pilot screening protocols after a flight experienced a significant plunge that resulted in passenger injuries.
The aircraft was operating between Phuket, Thailand, and Delhi, India, when it experienced a sudden loss of altitude of approximately 300 feet [1], [3]. According to reports, 24 passengers were injured during the event [1].
Authorities launched an investigation into the cause of the altitude loss immediately following the incident, which occurred last week [4], [5]. As part of the probe, the pilot-in-command underwent drug testing. While initial results were flagged, a second confirmatory test confirmed the presence of marijuana [2], [5].
Investigators are now examining whether the pilot's impairment contributed to the aircraft's instability or the handling of the situation. Air India has not yet released a formal statement regarding the captain's employment status or the specific sequence of events in the cockpit during the drop.
While some reports differed on the flight's direction, the primary evidence indicates the aircraft was traveling from Phuket to Delhi [1]. The investigation remains ongoing as officials determine if the altitude loss was caused by mechanical failure, weather-related turbulence, or human error [2], [5].
“The captain of Air India flight AI2379 tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test.”
This incident highlights a potential lapse in aviation safety oversight and the rigorousness of pre-flight sobriety checks. The confirmation of a controlled substance in a pilot-in-command during an active flight investigation suggests a systemic failure in monitoring, which may lead to stricter drug-testing mandates for international carriers operating in Indian airspace.
