Air India Phuket-Delhi flight AI2379: Pilot drug test result awaited, both crew grounded
Synopsis
An Air India Airbus A320 dropped 300 feet mid-cruise on the Phuket-Delhi route, injuring passengers and crew. Now the pilot-in-command's drug screening has flagged a result requiring confirmatory lab analysis — and both pilots have been grounded by the DGCA while India's AAIB investigates a formally classified Serious Incident.
Key Takeaways
Air India flight AI2379 ( Airbus A320, VT-EXO ) lost approximately 300 feet of altitude during cruise on 4 August while flying from Phuket to Delhi .
The aircraft was carrying 137 passengers (including 3 infants ) and 8 crew members ; several sustained injuries.
The pilot-in-command's initial psychoactive substance screening returned a result requiring confirmatory testing ; the final lab report is still awaited.
The DGCA has taken both flight crew members off roster pending investigation and test results.
The incident is classified as a Serious Incident and is under active probe by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) .
The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Sunday, 9 August confirmed that the final confirmatory drug test result for the pilot-in-command of Air India flight AI2379 — which experienced a sudden loss of altitude on the Phuket-to-Delhi route — is still awaited. Both flight crew members have been removed from the roster by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) pending the outcome of the investigation and prescribed testing process.
What Happened on Board
Air India's Airbus A320 aircraft VT-EXO, operating flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi on 4 August, underwent a sudden loss of altitude of approximately 300 feet during cruise phase. The aircraft subsequently stabilised and completed the journey, landing 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 in the incident.
Drug Screening and Confirmatory Test
Following the occurrence, both flight crew members underwent mandatory psychoactive substance screening, as stipulated under Standard Operating Procedures for such incidents. The screening test of the pilot-in-command returned a result that necessitated confirmatory testing. 'Samples have accordingly been sent to the designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis, and the final report is awaited,' the ministry stated. The screening result of the co-pilot has not been flagged as requiring further action.
Regulatory and Investigation Response
The DGCA has grounded both crew members pending the conclusion of the investigation. Separately, the incident has been classified as a Serious Incident and is currently under active investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The ministry noted that 'further action, as appropriate, will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation and confirmatory test results.'
What Happens Next
The timeline for the confirmatory laboratory report has not been officially specified. Aviation safety protocols require the AAIB to submit a preliminary investigation report within 30 days of a serious incident classification. The DGCA's decision on the crew's reinstatement or further disciplinary action will hinge on both the drug test outcome and the AAIB's findings. This incident has renewed attention on in-flight safety protocols and crew substance-testing procedures across Indian carriers.
Point of View
Protocol-driven approach — but it also raises questions about the adequacy of pre-flight substance screening if an initial test can produce an inconclusive result requiring further analysis. A 300-feet altitude drop mid-cruise on a commercial aircraft carrying 137 people is not a minor deviation; the AAIB's Serious Incident classification signals that. What Indian aviation regulators must confront is whether the current substance-testing framework — triggered only after an incident — is reactive by design, and whether pre-flight screening rigour is uniformly enforced across carriers. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how the DGCA handles crew substance violations going forward.
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 Airbus A320 (registration 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 in Delhi, but several passengers and cabin crew members were injured.
Why was the Air India pilot sent for a confirmatory drug test?
Following the incident, both crew members underwent mandatory psychoactive substance screening as per Standard Operating Procedures. The screening test of the pilot-in-command returned a result that required confirmatory analysis, prompting authorities to send samples to a designated laboratory. The final report is still awaited.
What action has the DGCA taken against the Air India crew?
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken both the pilot-in-command and the co-pilot off roster pending the completion of the investigation and the confirmatory drug test process. Further action will be determined based on the final results.
Who is investigating the Air India altitude drop incident?
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting the investigation, having classified the event as a Serious Incident. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has stated that further regulatory action will follow once both the AAIB probe and the confirmatory drug test are concluded.
How many people were on board Air India flight AI2379?
The flight carried 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members comprising two pilots and six cabin crew members. Several passengers and crew sustained injuries as a result of the sudden altitude loss.
