New Delhi, September 4 (TNA) Air India on Friday terminated the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) of its Phuket–Delhi flight with immediate effect after a confirmatory test found him positive for a psychoactive substance, in what the airline described as a “zero-tolerance” action on safety and regulatory violations. The move comes hours after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report on the August 4 incident, confirming the captain’s drug use and terming it a “serious concern” while asking the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to take appropriate action.
What happened on the flight
The incident involved Air India flight AI‑2379, an Airbus A320 operating from Phuket to Delhi on August 4, 2026, carrying 145 people on board. While cruising at around 36,000 feet over the Bay of Bengal/Odisha sector, the aircraft suffered a near‑simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems, followed by a sudden altitude upset and a rapid pitch change that threw passengers and cabin crew against overhead bins. Around two dozen people were injured in the turbulence-like event, with some sustaining fractures and head injuries, before the crew managed to regain control and land safely in
In the aftermath, both pilots were subjected to mandatory alcohol and drug screening. While the co‑pilot tested negative, the captain’s initial test was “non‑negative”, and a subsequent confirmatory blood test also returned positive for a psychoactive substance, according to the AAIB’s preliminary findings. The report, however, did not establish a causal link between the drug finding and the hydraulic failure or altitude upset, saying the detailed technical investigation is still underway.
Air India’s action and stance
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Air India said: “Safety remains Air India’s highest priority. The Pilot-in-Command of the Phuket–Delhi flight tested positive for a psychoactive substance. In line with Air India’s zero-tolerance approach to violations of safety, fitness or regulatory requirements, the pilot’s employment has been terminated with immediate effect.” The airline has already de-rostered the crew members involved and is cooperating with the ongoing AAIB and DGCA processes.
The termination marks one of the strongest disciplinary actions taken by an Indian carrier in a high-profile safety case, underscoring the regulatory and reputational risks associated with any hint of impairment among flight crew.
Broader implications for aviation safety
The AAIB’s preliminary report highlighted two major threads: a rare and serious hydraulic-system failure on an A320, and the captain’s confirmed use of a psychoactive substance. While the technical cause of the hydraulic loss is still being examined, the drug finding has triggered a wider scrutiny of pilot fitness, rest patterns and substance-abuse monitoring within the airline.
In response, Air India has begun voluntary drug testing of 100 per cent of its pilots, a step aimed at reinforcing internal controls and restoring confidence among passengers and regulators. The DGCA is expected to review the AAIB’s recommendations and may issue additional directives on crew screening, fatigue management and oversight of airline safety management systems.
For now, the focus remains on completing the detailed investigation into the technical failure, even as the confirmed drug use by the captain has already led to swift employment action and intensified debate over safety culture in Indian commercial aviation.