New Delhi: A passenger aboard the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight that encountered severe turbulence earlier this month has claimed the pilot appeared "high" before take-off, following reports that the pilot in command later tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test.
The incident occurred on August 4, when Flight AI2379 suddenly lost around 300 feet in altitude, leaving 20 passengers and four crew members injured. The serious nature of the incident prompted an investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Pilot Tests Positive In Confirmatory Drug Test
As part of standard operating procedures after a serious aviation incident, both pilots underwent screening for psychoactive substances upon landing in Delhi.
While the pilot-in-command's initial screening returned a "non-negative" result, officials ordered a confirmatory laboratory test. According to officials familiar with the investigation, the confirmatory report later tested positive for marijuana.
Passenger Shares Experience
A passenger who travelled on the flight told NDTV that he noticed the pilot behaving unusually before departure.
According to the passenger, he and his brother were among the last to board the aircraft and briefly interacted with the pilot.
"He was very slow to respond, and his eyes were red. I told my brother then that he seemed high," the passenger claimed.
The passenger also alleged that after the aircraft landed safely in Delhi, the pilot requested passengers not to record videos, saying that a minor issue could become a major controversy.
The passenger added that while he noticed the pilot's condition before take-off, there was no clear indication at the time that it was serious enough to avoid boarding the flight.
Investigation Underway
Authorities are continuing to investigate the turbulence incident as well as the circumstances surrounding the pilot's positive drug test. The findings of the AAIB inquiry are expected to determine whether the pilot's condition had any role in the in-flight incident.
Air India has not publicly commented on the ongoing investigation beyond cooperating with the authorities.
