Both pilots have been taken off flying duty by the DGCA, pending investigation. NEW DELHI: The captain of Air India’s August 4 Phuket-Delhi flight, which experienced a sudden loss of altitude of about 300 feet, was subjected to a psychoactive substance (dope) screening test on arrival, whose result was “not negative” and has been sent for confirmatory tests, the aviation ministry said Sunday.TOI had exclusively reported on Sunday that the pilot of the turbulence-hit flight may have failed the dope test.The ministry has classified the incident, which led to 17 people being hospitalised, as serious and said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will probe it.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“Further action, as appropriate, will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation and confirmatory test results,” it said.Air India pilots grounded till probe is overDirectorate General of Civil Aviation rules stipulate that “in case the screening test (for psychoactive substances) is non-negative, the employee shall be immediately removed from the safety-sensitive duty till a confirmatory report is received. In case of positive confirmatory test for the first time, the concerned employee shall be referred by the organisation” for de-addiction.Multiple passengers and cabin crew members on board the Airbus A320 operating as AI 2379 were injured when it suddenly lost altitude. The plane later landed safely in Delhi. “As standard operating procedures following such an occurrence, both flight crew members underwent the prescribed psychoactive substance screening test. The screening test in respect of the pilot-in-command (PIC) indicated a result requiring confirmatory testing. Samples have been sent to the designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis, and the final report is awaited,” the ministry statement added.Both pilots have been taken off flying duty by the DGCA, pending investigation.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJNU Cancels Venue For Umar Khalid Book Event: JNUSU Alleges Censorship, ABVP Claims CreditJharkhand Govt To Cancel JPSC Exams, But Rejects CGL Demand; Students Insist On CBI ProbeWATCH: Mamata Banerjee’s Car Hit By ‘Large Stones, Shoes’; Bengal BJP Chief Condemns Attack‘Shivling Beneath Darul Uloom Deoband’: Hindu Outfit Plans Ganga Water Offering At Islamic SeminaryBaramati Airfield Runway Excursion: Training Aircraft Veers Off Runway, No Injuries ReportedIN-SPACe Moves To Privatise Operations Of Rs 986-Crore Kulasekarapattinam SpaceportAir India Phuket-Delhi Flight Captain Reportedly Fails Dope Test After Turbulence IncidentSavarkar Quiz Question Sparks Political Row In Kerala; Education Department Orders InquiryWATCH: Uttarakhand Innovator’s Electric Flying Vehicle Takes Maiden Test FlightUPI To Remain Free For Users, But Some Merchants May Face Nominal Fees In Future: Govt123PhotostoriesOptical illusion personality test: What you see first in the image reveals what you are currently seeking in lifeWeekly Tarot Horoscope From August 9 to August 15, 2026 For Your Birth DateInside Kiku Sharda’s luxurious Mumbai home: Spacious balcony, elegant living room, and moreForget momo: Try these traditional steamed regional delicacies from Indian statesWant your child to actually tell you about school? Try these 5 simple parenting shiftsVitamin C from food vs supplements: Which gives you more and when taking extra may not help10 Indian states ranked highest for civic sense and responsible public behaviour; check if your state made it to the listHiccups that keep coming back? Doctor explains when they could signal a neurological problem5 foods packed with magnesium that can help support muscles, nerves and heart healthWhy you should add salt, not oil to pasta water: 6 common mistakes to avoid with pasta123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingNashik EarthquakeUddhav ThackerayRaja RaghuvanshiBJP MLA Fake MarriagesDevendra FadnavisSiddhivinayak Temple donation theftDelhi Wife MurderAbhijeet DipkeTarun TejpalPraveen Nettaru Murder Case
NEW DELHI: The captain of Air India’s August 4 Phuket-Delhi flight, which experienced a sudden loss of altitude of about 300 feet, was subjected to a psychoactive substance (dope) screening test on arrival, whose result was “not negative” and has been sent for confirmatory tests, the aviation ministry said Sunday.TOI had exclusively reported on Sunday that the pilot of the turbulence-hit flight may have failed the dope test.The ministry has classified the incident, which led to 17 people being hospitalised, as serious and said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will probe it.
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“Further action, as appropriate, will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation and confirmatory test results,” it said.
Air India pilots grounded till probe is over
Directorate General of Civil Aviation rules stipulate that “in case the screening test (for psychoactive substances) is non-negative, the employee shall be immediately removed from the safety-sensitive duty till a confirmatory report is received. In case of positive confirmatory test for the first time, the concerned employee shall be referred by the organisation” for de-addiction.Multiple passengers and cabin crew members on board the Airbus A320 operating as AI 2379 were injured when it suddenly lost altitude. The plane later landed safely in Delhi. “As standard operating procedures following such an occurrence, both flight crew members underwent the prescribed psychoactive substance screening test. The screening test in respect of the pilot-in-command (PIC) indicated a result requiring confirmatory testing. Samples have been sent to the designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis, and the final report is awaited,” the ministry statement added.Both pilots have been taken off flying duty by the DGCA, pending investigation.
