Air India sacks pilot who tested positive for psychoactive substance after Phuket-Delhi flight scare
Air India has terminated the pilot of a Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive for psychoactive substances following an incident where the plane lost altitude and injured 24 passengers. The airline cited a zero-tolerance policy toward safety and regulatory violations.
Why it matters
This incident highlights critical aviation safety concerns and the enforcement of strict drug-testing protocols for flight crews.
Air India on Friday (September 4, 2026) terminated the services of the pilot-in-command, who tested positive for psychoactive substances, after a Phuket-Delhi flight injured 24 due to a momentary loss of altitude.
The announcement from the airline came hours after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) , in its preliminary report on the August 4 incident, flagged the matter as a “serious concern” and recommended that the DGCA take appropriate action on priority. The final report could take upto a year or more.
Announcing the termination of the pilot “with immediate effect”, Air India, in a statement said: “In line with Air India’s zero-tolerance approach to violation of safety, fitness or regulatory requirements, the pilot’s employment has been terminated with immediate effect.”
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