Air India Pilot Tested After Delhi Flight Drops 300 Feet in Mid-Air
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken both flight crew members off duty after an Air India flight operating from Phuket to Delhi experienced a sudden drop in altitude on August 4, 2026, resulting in injuries to passengers and cabin crew. The pilot-in-command is currently undergoing confirmatory testing after an initial psychoactive substance screening indicated a result requiring further analysis, the Civil Aviation Ministry announced on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
The incident occurred during the cruise phase of flight AI2379, an Airbus A320 carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, along with eight crew members. During the flight, the aircraft suddenly lost approximately 300 feet of altitude before stabilizing and eventually landing safely in Delhi.
Following the altitude loss, a few passengers and cabin crew members reported injuries. In line with standard operating procedures mandated for aviation safety, both flight crew members were subjected to psychoactive substance screening after the aircraft arrived in Delhi.
While the co-pilot's results were not singled out for further testing, the pilot-in-command's initial screening yielded a result that called for detailed evaluation. The pilot's sample was subsequently sent to a designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis. The Civil Aviation Ministry confirmed in a statement on Sunday that the final report from the testing facility is still awaited.
The event has been officially classified as a serious incident. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has initiated a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sudden loss of altitude and the subsequent handling of the flight.
Pending the outcome of the AAIB investigation and the final laboratory test results, the DGCA ordered both pilots to be taken off the flight roster. The Civil Aviation Ministry noted that any further action against the crew members will be determined based on the complete findings of the investigation and the confirmatory test report.
