appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Agence France-Presse

India’s aviation ministry said Sunday that an Air India pilot whose flight plunged dramatically in turbulence, injuring 17 passengers and crew is undergoing a “confirmatory” psychoactive drug test.
The Airbus A320, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew, lost around 300 feet (91 metres) on August 4 while flying from Phuket in Thailand to New Delhi, before stabilising and landing safely, the civil aviation ministry said.
Eight passengers and four cabin crew members were admitted to hospitals after landing in the Indian capital, whose conditions were described as “stable”, after which both pilots were given a standard “psychoactive substance screening test”, the statement read.
“The screening test in respect of the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) indicated a result requiring confirmatory testing,” it said.
“Samples have accordingly been sent to the designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis, and the final report is awaited.”
The ministry said the flight has been classified as a “Serious Incident”, and that India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched an investigation.
Both pilots have been removed from the flying roster pending outcomes of the investigation.
“Further action, as appropriate, will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation and confirmatory test results,” it added.
Videos of the incident’s aftermath showed cabin baggage strewn across the aisle. Some of those injured were taken to hospital on stretchers.


Air India, in a statement earlier on Sunday, confirmed that a “post-flight screening test” had been conducted on the flight’s pilots, but it said the results had not been shared with the company.
The incident is the latest in a series of setbacks for the Indian carrier, which appointed a new executive on Wednesday.
Since taking over Air India in 2022, India’s Tata Group has embarked on an ambitious overhaul, ordering hundreds of aircraft and upgrading its ageing fleet.
While the airline has managed to modernise operations and integrate the group’s aviation businesses, it has faced persistent headwinds including aircraft delivery delays and airspace closures caused by the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict.
But the biggest blow to the airline’s image came in June 2025, when Air India Flight 171 – a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner – crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing all but one of the 242 people on board and 19 people on the ground.
The carrier has now turned to former Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam, widely seen as an industry veteran capable of righting the ship, as its new CEO as it seeks to execute a turnaround.


As Chinese consumption of gold jewellery slumps 34%, sellers look to markets abroad: WGC

The cooling trap: how Asia’s air conditioners are making heatwaves worse

Reporter’s note: two Delhis, one weekend – when the world came to dinner

Anwar was on song in India. Will Malaysia reap the rewards?

India

Air India pilot undergoes ‘confirmatory’ drug test after flight plunge

Passengers on board Air India ⁠flight AI2379 that experienced a sudden loss in altitude on Tuesday. Photo: YouTube

New Delhi investigates Air India flight over altitude loss that injures 17

India’s Kusha missile test signals step closer to self-reliance for air defence

India launches the maiden flight test of the Kusha long-range surface-to-air missile system on July 23. Photo: YouTube/Military92

The Russian S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system, as seen on Red Square during the May 9, 2019 Victory Day parade in Moscow. Photo: Xinhua

Jetstar plane narrowly avoids crashing into Qatar Airways flight at Sydney airport

A Jetstar plane and a Qatar Airways flight were involved in a near miss at Sydney airport on Sunday. Photo: X/itsdanibrown


Malaysia Airlines parent orders mandatory drug testing for pilots after arrest

Indonesian Customs officials display drugs smuggled by a Malaysian pilot as evidence during a press conference at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport near Jakarta. Photo: AFP

Indonesian Customs officials prepare to display the uniform of a Malaysian pilot and drugs he smuggled as evidence before a press conference at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport near Jakarta. Photo: AFP

News

Asia

South Asia

The incident is the latest in a series of setbacks for the Indian carrier, which appointed a new executive on Wednesday


The incident is the latest in a series of setbacks for the Indian carrier, which appointed a new executive on Wednesday.


Air India pilot undergoes ‘confirmatory’ drug test after flight plunge

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The incident is the latest in a series of setbacks for the Indian carrier, which appointed a new executive on Wednesday

The incident is the latest in a series of setbacks for the Indian carrier, which appointed a new executive on Wednesday