Air India CEO meets regulators as probe into Phuket flight incident deepens

Air India's top leadership, including its chief executive, met senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday, as investigations into a Phuket-Delhi flight incident intensify.

The meeting comes days after the airline's Boeing 787 encountered what officials describe as a "rare flight-control event" shortly before a sudden 300-foot altitude drop. The incident has triggered a multi-agency review, with focus on both technical systems and crew conduct.

What happened on the Phuket-Delhi flight

The aircraft, operating from Phuket to Delhi, was mid-cruise when pilots reported an anomaly in the flight control systems. Within moments, the plane lost about 300 feet of altitude before the crew regained control. No injuries were reported among passengers or cabin crew, and the flight continued to Delhi, landing without further incident.

Aviation experts say a 300-foot deviation, while not immediately catastrophic, is significant enough to warrant a thorough probe, especially when combined with a flight-control malfunction. The DGCA has classified the event as "serious" and is examining flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder inputs.

Regulatory scrutiny and the CEO's visit

The Air India CEO, accompanied by other senior executives, met with MoCA and DGCA officials to discuss the incident and the airline's response. While the specifics of the discussion have not been made public, sources indicate the meeting focused on the airline's safety protocols and its cooperation with the investigation.

This is not the first time Air India has faced regulatory attention this year. The airline has been under increased scrutiny as it expands its fleet and international routes. The DGCA has been conducting spot checks and audits of the carrier's operations, particularly after a series of technical glitches reported across Indian carriers in recent months.

Pilot's drug test adds a new dimension

Complicating the probe is a report that one of the pilots on the Phuket-Delhi flight has tested positive for banned substances. The Hindustan Times reported that the pilot's test results indicated the presence of drugs, although the specific substance has not been disclosed. The pilot has been grounded pending further analysis, as per standard procedure.

The DGCA has also issued a fresh medical advisory to all airlines, warning that certain common over-the-counter medications may trigger false-positive results in routine drug screenings. The advisory urges pilots to consult aviation medical examiners before taking any medication, even for minor ailments.

This development has raised questions about the reliability of drug testing protocols and the need for clearer guidelines. Air India has said it is cooperating fully with the investigation and will take appropriate action based on the findings.

Industry reaction and what lies ahead

The incident has sparked debate within the aviation community about pilot fatigue, medical fitness, and the adequacy of oversight. Some experts argue that the 300-foot drop, while concerning, could have been a result of clear-air turbulence rather than a systems failure, but the DGCA's classification suggests otherwise.

Passengers on the flight have largely remained silent, though social media posts from that day show some fliers mentioning a "sudden jolt" during the cruise. The airline has not issued a public statement beyond confirming that safety is its top priority.

As the investigation continues, the DGCA is expected to release a preliminary report within weeks. Air India, meanwhile, will likely face stricter audits and may need to revise its crew training modules if the probe finds procedural lapses.

For now, the focus remains on getting the facts right. The coming weeks will reveal whether this was an isolated technical anomaly or a symptom of deeper systemic issues within one of India's flagship carriers.