Air India sacks pilot who tested positive for psychoactive substance after Phuket-Delhi flight scare

Air India dismissed the pilot-in-command after he tested positive for psychoactive substances following a near-miss incident on an August 4 flight from Phuket to Delhi. The incident resulted in 24 passengers sustaining injuries due to a temporary loss of altitude. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) labeled the situation as a "serious concern" and urged the DGCA to act promptly.

Despite the initial report, a final investigation could take up to a year or more. Air India's decision to terminate the pilot's employment came hours after the AAIB's preliminary findings. In their statement, the airline emphasized their "zero-tolerance approach" to safety, fitness, and regulatory violations. On the day of the incident, the co-pilot, who had been the pilot flying (PF), swiftly responded to the situation, managing to stabilize the aircraft as the hydraulic systems recovered.

The damage sustained by the aircraft included cracked ceiling panels, bent handrails, and broken emergency exit and overhead-bin components. Additionally, a lavatory commode was uprooted, and crew seats near the rear doors were damaged.