Air India Flight Experiences Sudden Altitude Loss; Pilots Undergo Psychoactive Substance Screening
Incident on Phuket-Delhi Flight Leads to Probe by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
Quick Look
- An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi experienced a sudden 300-foot altitude loss during cruise, leading to injuries among passengers and crew.
- Both pilots underwent psychoactive substance screening, with the captain's initial test requiring confirmatory analysis.
- The incident is classified as serious and under investigation by the AAIB.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Air India flight AI 2379 from Phuket to Delhi experienced turbulence and altitude loss.
An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi experienced a sudden loss of altitude of about 300 feet during cruise. The pilots underwent psychoactive substance screening, with the captain's test requiring confirmatory analysis. The incident is under investigation by the AAIB.
The flight, carrying 137 passengers and 8 crew, stabilised after the drop and landed safely in Delhi. Injuries were reported among passengers and crew, with 13 passengers and 4 crew hospitalized.
The DGCA has removed both pilots from flying duty pending investigation. The aviation ministry emphasized commitment to aviation safety and thorough investigation.
Authorities are probing the handling of turbulence, the cause of the altitude loss, and whether the flight should have diverted to a nearby airport.
DGCA rules stipulate that a first-time positive test leads to de-addiction referral, with the licence suspended for three years upon a second positive test and cancelled upon a third.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Confirmatory test results will influence pilot's flying status
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Confirmatory test results for the pilot-in-command
- Full extent of injuries to passengers and crew
