Captain of Air India flight that injured 24 is investigated after drug reports
Indian authorities opened an investigation after the flight’s 300-foot drop injured 17 people and prompted drug testing of the captain.
- On August 4, an Air India Airbus A320 dropped about 300 feet midair shortly after departing Phuket, Thailand, bound for New Delhi, injuring 24 passengers and crew members before stabilizing and landing safely.
- The flight experienced a "momentary altitude variation" over the Indian State of Odisha while carrying 137 passengers, including three infants and eight crew members aboard the aircraft.
- India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is reviewing flight data, systems, and maintenance records with technical assistance from Airbus and France's BEA to determine the incident's cause.
- Both pilots were removed from flying duties pending laboratory confirmation of drug test results, while officials confirmed full details of the screening will appear in the final investigation report.
- This incident compounds mounting challenges for Air India, which faced a deadly 2025 crash in Ahmedabad killing 241 of 242 people and ongoing disruptions from Middle East conflict.
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48 Articles
The Korea Times
Channel News AsiaAir India mandates drug tests for all pilots after mid-air plunge
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A plane from Air India suddenly dropped dramatically, dozens of people were injured. Now the pilot is at the center of the investigation.
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Govt asks DGCA to review dope-test rules after AI pilot tests positive for drugs
The government has asked the DGCA to review pilot dope-testing rules after the Air India captain of flight AI2379 tested positive for marijuana. The move comes as investigators probe the mid-air altitude drop that injured 24 people and the ministry weighs whether current safeguards are adequate.
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Regarding the recent accident in which an Air India passenger plane, one of India's leading airlines, plummeted shortly after takeoff injuring 24 people, the pilot at the time...
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