Air India pilot fails second dope test for marijuana after Phuket-Delhi scare

New Delhi: The captain of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi, which suffered a rare flight-control event and plunged 300 feet, has failed a second dope test, with sources confirming traces of marijuana in his system. The confirmatory test, conducted after an initial screening also returned positive, has intensified scrutiny on the airline's cockpit protocols and pilot wellness checks.

The incident, which took place aboard the Phuket-Delhi service, saw the aircraft experience an uncommanded altitude drop of roughly 300 feet before the crew regained control. While no injuries were reported, the event triggered an internal review and a mandatory drug test for the cockpit crew, a standard procedure after any significant operational anomaly.

Confirmatory test backs initial finding

Sources familiar with the matter told TIVRA News that the captain's second, confirmatory sample has tested positive for marijuana, corroborating the initial screening result. The test was conducted at a government-accredited laboratory, with the airline informed of the outcome late on Monday.

Air India has not yet issued a formal statement, but officials within the airline have confirmed that the captain has been taken off flying duties pending a full inquiry. The co-pilot, who was also tested, has reportedly cleared the screening.

Rare flight-control event under probe

The government has now tasked the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) with probing the flight-control event that preceded the altitude drop. Preliminary reports suggest the aircraft experienced a momentary loss of normal control response, though the crew managed to recover and land safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Aviation experts say such events are extremely rare on modern Airbus or Boeing aircraft, and the combination of a control anomaly with a positive drug test for the captain raises serious questions about crew readiness. "A pilot's cognitive state is paramount," said a former DGCA official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "If substance use is confirmed, it's a grave breach of safety norms."

Substance abuse rules in Indian aviation

Indian civil aviation regulations prohibit any consumption of psychotropic substances by flight crew, with random and post-incident testing being mandatory. A positive confirmatory test typically leads to licence suspension and possible criminal charges under the Aircraft Rules, 1937.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been tightening its random drug testing regime in recent years, but this is among the first high-profile cases involving a pilot on an international route. The airline faces potential penalties if found lax in its pre-flight checks, which include breathalyser tests for alcohol but not routine drug screening.

Passengers on the affected flight, many of whom were returning from vacation, have been contacted by the airline, though no formal complaint has been lodged. The incident has also prompted calls from pilots' unions for clearer guidelines on mental health and substance support, rather than purely punitive measures.

What happens next

The AAIB investigation is expected to take several weeks, examining both the flight data recorder and the captain's medical history. The pilot's licence remains suspended, and further legal action will hinge on the final toxicology report. The case is likely to push the DGCA to revisit its drug testing protocols, possibly introducing mandatory random screening for all international flight crews.