Air India terminates Phuket-Delhi pilot after substance test

Air India said it has terminated the pilot-in-command of flight AI2379 after a confirmatory test detected a psychoactive substance following the August 4 flight from Phuket to Delhi.

The Airbus A320 experienced an altitude variation of around 300 feet while cruising at 36,000 feet over Odisha. Twenty-four people were injured before the aircraft landed safely in Delhi. The co-pilot tested negative.

Air India said it acted under its zero-tolerance policy for violations of safety, fitness and regulatory requirements. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) described the pilot’s test result as a serious concern and recommended priority action by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

The AAIB is continuing to examine the technical and other circumstances behind the altitude variation, including reported hydraulic-system failures. Its preliminary report does not establish that the pilot’s test result caused the incident.

Following the flight, Air India introduced drug screening for all pilots.