The captain of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi, which experienced a sudden loss of approximately 300 feet in altitude last week, has tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test. This development emerged amid an ongoing investigation into the incident.
Earlier on Tuesday, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation summoned Air India CEO Campbell Wilson to discuss the matter involving the Airbus A320neo aircraft. Wilson confirmed that the airline had updated the ministry on the progress of the investigation.
The summons followed the launch of an official inquiry after the flight incident resulted in injuries to 13 passengers and four crew members. The aircraft, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew, encountered a brief altitude variation while flying over Odisha, an eastern state of India, before safely landing in Delhi.
On Sunday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation revealed that the captain’s initial drug screening indicated the presence of psychoactive substances, prompting further confirmatory laboratory testing. Air India had previously stated it was not informed of the test results.
Air India is primarily owned by the Tata Group, with Singapore Airlines holding an approximate 25 percent stake. The investigation continues as authorities seek to determine the full circumstances surrounding the flight’s sudden altitude change and the captain’s drug test findings.
