‘Pilot not in full control’: What happened on Air India’s Phuket-Delhi flight

Air India flight AI 2379, bound for Delhi from Phuket, experienced a turbulent ordeal on Tuesday when it was revealed that the pilot-in-command (PIC) had tested positive for marijuana consumption, failing his confirmatory drug test. The cabin crew expressed their concerns to the airline about the PIC's erratic behavior during the flight.

The crew members reported that the pilot was not in control of himself, struggling to stay seated and even attempting to smoke onboard. The flight faced a "negative G" situation, where the aircraft momentarily lost altitude, causing injury to four cabin crew members and 20 passengers. The PIC was seen standing and leaning behind the co-pilot's seat during this incident.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the incident, with the government pledging to make dope test rules more stringent in light of this troubling event.