Air India flight carrying 137 passengers plunges mid-air, investigation under way
An Air India flight carrying 137 passengers plunged 91 metres shortly after take-off, leading to an investigation into the pilot's drug test results. What does this mean for airline safety?
An Air India flight carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members experienced a mid-air plunge on August 4, according to Indian investigators. The Airbus A320, en route from Phuket, Thailand to New Delhi, lost about 300 feet of altitude before landing safely in the Indian capital. India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) stated that 24 people were injured, a higher number than the initial 17 reported by the airline.
The AAIB is conducting a systematic and independent investigation, examining technical, operational, medical, and human-factor evidence.
Reports suggest the pilot tested positive for marijuana, as confirmed by Indian media citing unnamed sources. Both pilots were removed from flying duties pending the investigation results. The airline spokesperson confirmed the testing process but declined to comment on the specific test outcomes. The AAIB investigation is being supported by Airbus and France's civil aviation safety agency, BEA.
Airbus is providing technical assistance to Indian authorities, with a team dispatched to Delhi, while the BEA is involved in the inquiry but does not plan to send investigators to India at this time.
This incident adds to Air India's challenges as it seeks to improve operations following recent setbacks, including the crash of Flight 171 in June 2025, which killed 242 people on board and 19 on the ground. The airline recently appointed Tewolde Gebremariam as its new chief executive.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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