Air India Flight Drops 300 Feet, Injuring 17 as Pilot Faces Drug Test Investigation

An Air India flight travelling from Phuket in Thailand to New Delhi suddenly lost about 300 feet in altitude during its journey on 4 August, injuring 17 people and prompting an investigation into what caused the incident.

Flight AI2379, operated by an Airbus A320, was carrying 145 passengers when the aircraft experienced a sudden change in altitude during the cruise phase. The movement caused passengers and crew members to be thrown from their seats, with several people suffering injuries after being hit against the aircraft’s ceiling, overhead compartments and other parts of the cabin.

The aircraft recovered from the sudden drop and continued its journey before landing safely in Delhi.

The incident has since taken a new turn after the pilot-in-command underwent a post-flight screening for psychoactive substances after arriving in Delhi. The initial urine test was reported as “not negative”, indicating the possible presence of a substance.

However, the preliminary result does not by itself establish that the pilot had taken recreational drugs or that he was impaired while flying the aircraft.

The sample has been sent for further laboratory testing, which is expected to determine whether the initial finding can be confirmed. Authorities are awaiting those results before drawing conclusions about the pilot’s condition.

Both pilots have been removed from flying duties while the investigation continues.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is examining the circumstances surrounding the sudden loss of altitude. Investigators are also analysing information from the aircraft’s flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder in an effort to establish what happened during the flight.

The investigation will consider a number of possible factors, including turbulence, aircraft systems and the actions of the flight crew. Airbus is also expected to assist investigators.

The authorities have classified the incident as serious, but there has so far been no official finding that links the pilot’s initial screening result to the aircraft’s sudden loss of altitude.

The final laboratory test and evidence recovered from the aircraft are expected to provide a clearer picture of the incident. Until those findings are available, the cause of the sudden altitude loss remains under investigation.