Business
10 Aug, 2026
Air India pilot's psychoactive substance test requires confirmation after altitude-loss incident
Business To Business, New Delhi, 10 August 2026: The pilot-in-command of an Air India Airbus A320 that experienced a sudden loss of altitude during a Phuket–Delhi flight on August 4 has undergone confirmatory testing after an initial psychoactive-substance screening indicated that the result required further analysis, the Civil Aviation Ministry said on Sunday.
Incident details
- Flight: AI2379, Phuket to Delhi
- Aircraft: Airbus A320
- Date: August 4
- Altitude loss: About 300 feet during cruise
- Passengers: 137, including three infants
- Crew: Eight
The aircraft stabilised after the altitude deviation and
landed safely in Delhi.
A few passengers and members of the cabin crew reported injuries during the incident.
The ministry said the pilot's initial screening result was not being treated as conclusive and that
confirmatory testing has been conducted. Further action will depend on the outcome of the confirmatory analysis.