Air India pilot on Phuket-Delhi flight who tested +ve for marijuana had sleep difficulty: Sources

The pilot-in-command of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi, which experienced a 300-foot drop during its journey, was undergoing treatment for sleep difficulties stemming from personal circumstances when he tested positive for marijuana, according to sources. The confirmation of the positive drug test, which took place after the flight landed in Delhi, has sparked concerns about the safety of passengers.

The pilot's statement to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed his sleep issues, both during the layover and following the incident. Air India has yet to officially comment on the matter. The airline initially blamed the 300-foot drop on turbulence, but later updates from the government and the Press Information Bureau reported that 24 people were injured, including four cabin crew members and 20 passengers.

Both pilots were subjected to psychoactive substance testing post-flight; however, the PIC's preliminary test returned a non-negative result, which was later confirmed to be positive for marijuana. The incident, initially under the purview of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has now been handed over to the AAIB for a more thorough investigation, given its classification as a "serious" event.