Air India Fires Pilot After Drug Test Linked to Severe Turbulence Incident

Public Lokpal
September 04, 2026

Air India has terminated the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-to-Delhi flight after laboratory tests confirmed the use of a psychoactive substance.

The decisive action follows a preliminary Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau report into an August flight where an Airbus A320 experienced a sudden, unprompted altitude drop and severe turbulence during cruise.

While seatbelt signs were off, the abrupt plunge caused injuries to twenty passengers and four cabin crew members, alongside noticeable cabin damage, before safely landing in New Delhi.

Although both crew members passed initial breathalyzer exams, follow-up screening revealed a positive result for marijuana.

Emphasizing a zero-tolerance stance on safety, the airline moved swiftly to dismiss the captain.

Investigators flagged substance use as a severe risk to aviation safety, prompting calls for stricter regulatory screening protocols across commercial carriers to prevent future occurrences and safeguard passenger well-being.