Positive dope test, erratic behaviour, sleep medication: Chilling details emerge on pilot of turbulence-hit Air India flight
PTC News Desk: Chilling and scary details have emerged on the pilot of the Air India flight that witnessed massive turbulence and passenger injuries last week. The aircraft carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, suddenly lost altitude while it was flying from Phuket to Delhi on August 4.
According to the sources, the pilot-in-command of the Air India flight has tested positive for marijuana in a drug test twice. The pilot also revealed that "sleep did not come easily" to him during the layover.
Air India: Phuket - Delhi, 04.08.2026.
The worst two hours of my life. Please, please, please always wear your seatbelt on a plane, even when the seatbelt sign is off.
I saw people being thrown into the air, hitting their heads, and getting injured. For a while, I genuinely… pic.twitter.com/3bVjcZZ18g — Minchen (@minchen_t) August 4, 2026
At least 20 passengers and four crew members suffered injuries. The Airbus A320neo aircraft later landed safely in Delhi.
"I disclose, for completeness, that I had separately been experiencing sleep difficulty over a preceding period, related to personal circumstances, for which I had been prescribed medication by my family doctor," the pilot said in a flight safety statement.
"During the layover, I personally attempted rest; sleep did not come easily, and I judged that light activity such as walking would be constructive for sleep quality," he said.
The sources have also further said upon landing, the pilot could not stand straight. The pilot was also helped by the AAIB officer physically as he submitted his urine sample.
The pilot also failed two dope tests as the samples confirmed presence of of marijuana in his body, however he denied that he consumed any psychotropic substance.
Adding further, the sources said that pilot was unsteady and was given physical assistance to help him sit down.
Air India flight AI-2379, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, was flying from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when it suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude during the cruise.
At least 20 passengers and four crew members were injured in the incident.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the incident. Both pilots and the cabin crew are being questioned as part of the inquiry.
- With inputs from agencies
