Air India captain's confirmatory drug test positive for marijuana

Confirmatory test confirms initial finding

The Air India captain at the centre of last week's Phuket-Delhi flight incident has tested positive for marijuana in his confirmatory drug test, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. The initial screening test had also flagged the substance, but the confirmatory analysis has now upheld that result, the source added.

The development comes days after the flight, operating as AI 176, suffered a rare flight-control event that caused a sudden 300-foot altitude drop mid-air. The aircraft, an Airbus A320neo, was flying from Phuket to Delhi when the crew reported the abnormality.

Air India has not issued a formal statement on the confirmatory test result. Officials familiar with the probe said the airline has already taken the captain off flying duty pending further investigation.

What happened on the Phuket-Delhi flight

The incident unfolded on the Phuket-Delhi route, where the aircraft experienced a flight-control anomaly that led to a rapid descent of about 300 feet before the crew regained control. The event was classified as a rare occurrence by aviation experts, given the A320neo's advanced fly-by-wire systems.

Passengers on board were largely unaware of the severity of the situation at the time, aviation sources said. The flight landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, and no injuries were reported.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had ordered a preliminary probe into the incident, which later escalated to a full investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) after the initial drug test results emerged.

Government orders AAIB probe

The central government has now tasked the AAIB with a comprehensive investigation into the incident, according to a senior official. The probe will examine both the technical failure of the flight-control system and the medical fitness of the cockpit crew.

Confirmatory drug testing is a standard procedure in such cases, and the positive result for marijuana raises serious questions about the captain's compliance with aviation regulations. Under Indian rules, any psychoactive substance in a pilot's system is a strict no-go, with penalties ranging from suspension to cancellation of licence.

Aviation regulator DGCA has its own medical standards for pilots, and any positive drug test is treated with the highest priority. The captain's identity has not been officially disclosed, and the airline has declined to comment on his employment status.

Broader concerns for pilot drug testing

This incident has reignited debate about the frequency and rigour of drug testing for pilots in India. While random tests are conducted, this case highlights potential gaps in the system, particularly for international routes where crew members may have different exposure to substances.

Industry observers note that the number of pilots tested annually remains a fraction of the total licensed pilots in the country. The DGCA has not yet commented on whether it will revise testing protocols in the wake of this episode.

What happens next

The AAIB investigation is expected to take several weeks, with a preliminary report likely to be submitted to the ministry within a month. The captain's medical records and cockpit voice recorder data will be key pieces of evidence.

For now, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of passengers and maintaining the integrity of India's aviation system. Aviation analysts say this case could prompt stricter pre-flight checks and more frequent random drug tests for cockpit crews across Indian carriers.