Air India pilot undergoes drug test after Phuket flight plunge injures 17 passengers
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.
An Air India Airbus A320 en route from Phuket, Thailand to New Delhi, India lost around 300 feet on August 4 while in flight. The incident, described as a "Serious Incident," resulted in 17 passengers and crew being injured and requiring hospitalization. Both pilots underwent standard psychoactive substance screening tests, with the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) pilot later needing confirmatory testing, which is currently pending.
The Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has launched an investigation into the incident. Both pilots have been removed from the flying roster pending the outcome of the investigation and confirmatory test results. Videos of the aftermath captured cabin baggage scattered across the aisle, and some injured passengers were transported on stretchers.
This incident adds to a series of setbacks for Air India, which has been undergoing a significant overhaul by Tata Group since 2022. The airline has faced challenges such as delivery delays and airspace closures due to the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict. The most recent blow came in June 2025 when Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 242 people on board and 19 on the ground.
The airline now has a new CEO, Tewolde Gebremariam, an industry veteran, tasked with turning the carrier around.
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