A passenger on an Air India flight from Phuket to New Delhi has raised concerns about one of the pilots reportedly exhibiting signs of intoxication. This assertion emerged following an incident on August 4, 2026, when the aircraft faced severe turbulence and a rapid loss of altitude, injuring multiple passengers. Sources indicate that one of the pilot’s post-flight dope tests returned a positive result, although this is pending confirmatory analysis.

Witnessing the unsettling experience, Shrikant Jha from Jaipur noted that the pilot’s unusual gait raised suspicions about his condition. According to Jha, the pilot’s mannerisms and speech suggested impairment, which prompted numerous passengers to file complaints after safely landing in Delhi.

Jha described the incident as a serious lapse in responsibility among aviation personnel, claiming that the pilot attempted to operate the flight under the influence. He emphasised that such occurrences highlight systemic failures within airline safety protocols, particularly in enforcing regulations regarding pilot conduct.

Passengers’ Statements Reflect Concerns for Safety

Renu Raniwala, another passenger onboard, corroborated the concerns raised by Jha. She recalled that prior to the turbulence, a fellow passenger remarked on the pilot’s unsteady walking. During the descent, Raniwala expressed her worry for her grandson, who was seated beside her. She described tightly securing him and sustaining injuries in the process, illustrating the severity of the incident.

Raniwala also voiced her criticism towards Air India’s management, claiming that the airline exhibited a lack of care for the affected passengers in the aftermath of the turbulence. She highlighted that despite the ordeal, there was insufficient support from the airline staff upon landing and during medical evaluations, calling for greater accountability and attention to passenger welfare.

The Airbus A320 operating flight AI2379 reportedly lost approximately 300 feet in altitude during the episode. Among the 137 passengers and eight crew members, at least 17 individuals sustained injuries, with four being cabin crew members. This situation has raised significant alarms regarding crew standards and safety measures in place during flights.

Ongoing Investigation and Responses from Authorities

The Civil Aviation Ministry has stated that both pilots were subjected to mandatory psychoactive substance screening after the incident, as per standard operating procedures. The pilot-in-command’s sample has been sent for confirmatory testing, with results awaited to determine any further actions. The case is classified as serious and is currently being investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

In light of the preliminary findings, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has temporarily de-rostered both pilots pending the investigation’s outcomes and the confirmatory test results. The ministry reiterated that future steps would be contingent on the details emerging from these processes.

Air India, while acknowledging the situation, maintained that they have not received official information regarding the dope test results, thus limiting their capacity to comment. A spokesperson confirmed that protocol was strictly followed regarding pilot screenings, but further discussions would remain on hold until definitive findings are available.

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