Air India Phuket flight pilot tested positive for psychoactive substance: Probe report

The pilot flying an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi, which suddenly dropped around 300 feet while cruising over Odisha last month, tested positive for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test, according to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) preliminary report.

The finding has raised a serious safety concern, with the AAIB recommending that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action against the pilot on priority.

The incident took place on August 4 when Air India flight AI2379 was flying at around 36,000 feet. The Airbus A320, registered as VT-EXO, was carrying 145 people, including 137 passengers and eight crew members.