{
  "id": 387221,
  "title": "Air India pilot undergoes ‘confirmatory’ drug test after flight plunge",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/air-india-pilot-undergoes-confirmatory-drug-test-after-flight-plunge-387221",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-09T14:32:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/08/09/air-india-pilot-undergoes-confirmatory-drug-test-after-flight-plunge"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An Air India Airbus A320 carrying 137 passengers and eight crew experienced a dramatic 300-foot drop due to turbulence on August 4 while en route from Phuket, Thailand to New Delhi. The aircraft stabilized and safely landed, but the incident resulted in injuries to 17 passengers and crew members, who were taken to hospitals. Both pilots were subsequently subjected to a standard psychoactive substance screening test, which raised red flags requiring a confirmatory drug test. The results of this confirmatory test are pending, but the Indian Aviation Ministry has classified the incident as a serious event. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has initiated an investigation into the matter. Both pilots have been removed from the flying roster until the investigation concludes.",
  "summary": "The Airbus A320, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew, lost around 300 feet on Aug 4 while flying from Phuket to New Delhi before stabilising and landing safely.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Air India pilot undergoes 'confirmatory' drug test after flight plunge",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/air-india-pilot-undergoes-confirmatory-drug-test-after-flight-plunge-384226",
        "published": "2026-08-09T14:28:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Air India pilot undergoes ‘confirmatory’ drug test after flight plunge",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/air-india-pilot-undergoes-confirmatory-drug-test-after-flight-plunge-385665",
        "published": "2026-08-09T14:32:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}