Air India Phuket-Delhi flight AI2379: Drug test result awaited, both pilots off roster
Synopsis
Air India flight AI2379 dropped 300 feet mid-cruise on 4 August, injuring passengers and crew. Now the pilot-in-command's drug screening has flagged a result requiring confirmation — and both pilots have been grounded. The confirmatory lab report, still awaited, could determine whether India's aviation regulator escalates to licence action.
Key Takeaways
Air India flight AI2379 (Phuket–Delhi) experienced a sudden 300-feet altitude drop during cruise on 4 August .
The aircraft carried 137 passengers (including 3 infants ) and 8 crew members ; several sustained injuries.
Mandatory psychoactive substance screening of the pilot-in-command returned a result requiring confirmatory testing.
Samples have been sent to a designated laboratory; the final confirmatory report is still awaited.
The DGCA has taken both flight crew members off roster pending investigation and test outcome.
The AAIB has classified the event as a Serious Incident and has launched a formal inquiry.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Sunday, 9 August confirmed that the final confirmatory drug test report for the pilot-in-command of Air India flight AI2379 — which suffered a sudden loss of altitude en route from Phuket to Delhi — is still awaited. Both flight crew members have been grounded pending the outcome of the investigation.
What Happened on Board
Air India A320 aircraft VT-EXO, operating flight AI2379 on 4 August, experienced an abrupt loss of altitude of approximately 300 feet during cruise phase. The aircraft subsequently stabilised and landed safely at Delhi. The flight was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, along with eight crew members — two pilots and six cabin crew. Several passengers and cabin crew members sustained injuries during the incident.
Drug Screening and Confirmatory Testing
In line with Standard Operating Procedures triggered by such occurrences, both flight crew members underwent mandatory psychoactive substance screening. The screening test result for the pilot-in-command indicated a finding that required confirmatory testing. 'Samples have accordingly been sent to the designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis, and the final report is awaited,' the Ministry stated.
The ministry was careful to note that the screening result is not a conclusive finding — the confirmatory report, which carries definitive weight, has not yet been received.
DGCA Action and Regulatory Response
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken both flight crew members off roster pending the completion of the investigation and the prescribed testing process. 'Further action, as appropriate, will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation and confirmatory test results,' the ministry said. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has classified the event as a Serious Incident and has launched a formal investigation.
Broader Context and What Comes Next
The incident is the latest in a series of in-flight turbulence and altitude-deviation events that have drawn regulatory scrutiny across Indian carriers this year. A Serious Incident classification under Indian aviation rules mandates a full AAIB inquiry, with findings typically submitted to the DGCA for corrective action. Notably, any adverse outcome from the confirmatory drug test could trigger licence suspension proceedings under Civil Aviation Requirements.
The ministry has indicated that all further regulatory steps will follow strictly after the confirmatory results are received and the AAIB investigation concludes.
Point of View
But the ministry's caution — stressing the confirmatory report is still pending — is legally and procedurally correct. Screening tests are not conclusive. What this incident does expose is a systemic gap: a Phuket-Delhi flight dropped 300 feet in cruise and injured passengers, yet public disclosure came five days later. India's aviation safety communication framework lags its incident-response protocols. If the confirmatory test returns adverse, it will be the most serious crew-substance case in Indian commercial aviation in recent memory — and will put the DGCA's oversight credibility under sharp scrutiny.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi?
Air India flight AI2379, operated by an A320 aircraft (VT-EXO), experienced a sudden loss of altitude of approximately 300 feet during cruise on 4 August while flying from Phuket to Delhi. The aircraft stabilised and landed safely at Delhi, but several passengers and cabin crew members were injured.
Why was the Air India pilot sent for a drug test?
Standard Operating Procedures in Indian aviation require psychoactive substance screening for flight crew following a Serious Incident. The screening test result for the pilot-in-command indicated a finding that required confirmatory testing, so samples were sent to a designated laboratory.
What is the current status of the drug test result?
As of 9 August, the final confirmatory drug test report for the pilot-in-command has not yet been received. The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that samples are with the designated laboratory and the report is awaited.
What action has the DGCA taken against the crew?
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken both flight crew members — the pilot-in-command and the co-pilot — off roster pending completion of the investigation and the confirmatory testing process. Further regulatory action will follow once results are available.
What is a Serious Incident classification in Indian aviation?
A Serious Incident is a formal classification under Indian aviation regulations that mandates a full investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). It covers events that had significant potential for an accident but did not result in one, such as major altitude deviations during flight.
