An Air India pilot reportedly tested positive for psychoactive substances following a severe turbulence incident on a flight from Phuket to Delhi [2].
The event has triggered a probe by India's Civil Aviation Ministry into pilot fitness and regulatory oversight. The combination of a mid-air emergency and a suspected drug violation raises critical questions about crew safety standards.
The incident occurred Aug. 4, 2024 [2], while the aircraft was flying over the Bay of Bengal. During the turbulence, the plane dropped approximately 300 feet [2]. The sudden descent resulted in injuries to both passengers and crew members.
Passengers described a scene of panic during the descent. Shrikant Jha, a passenger on the flight, said, "We felt we weren't going to survive."
Following the landing, the captain underwent a drug screening. Reports from News24online indicate the pilot failed the test [2]. However, Air India has not confirmed these results. An Air India spokesperson said, "The post-flight screening was conducted as per protocol and we are awaiting the final report" [3].
The India Civil Aviation Ministry has intervened in the matter. A representative from the ministry said, "The incident is serious" [NDTV].
Regulatory bodies are now examining whether the pilot's reported condition contributed to the handling of the turbulence or if the event was purely atmospheric. The airline continues to maintain that the findings of the drug test remain unconfirmed while the official report is pending [3].
“"We felt we weren't going to survive."”
This incident highlights potential gaps in pre-flight screening and the enforcement of sobriety protocols within commercial aviation. While severe turbulence is often an uncontrollable atmospheric event, the reported positive drug test shifts the focus toward human error and systemic failure in crew monitoring, potentially leading to stricter mandatory testing for pilots in India.
