{
  "id": 5516161,
  "title": "Air India pilot's drug test flagged after Phuket-Delhi mid-air plunge",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/air-india-pilots-drug-test-flagged-after-phuket-delhi-mid-air-plunge",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T07:31:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/air-india-pilots-drug-test-flagged-after-phuket-delhi-mid-air-plunge-1.500662996"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A preliminary investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed that the captain of Air India flight AI2379 tested positive for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory drug test following a dramatic altitude drop on August 4. The Airbus A320, en route from Phuket to Delhi, lost pressure in all three of its hydraulic systems during the incident, affecting the aircraft's flight controls. The co-pilot tested negative in both initial and confirmatory drug tests. While the AAIB has not established a direct link between the captain's substance use and the technical failure or the sudden change in altitude, the finding is a serious concern for the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The aircraft, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, experienced a loss of pressure in its hydraulic systems, causing the autopilot to disengage and a warning to sound in the cockpit. The aircraft first climbed 372 feet above its assigned altitude before falling 292 feet below it. All injured passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, and the aircraft landed in Delhi. Following the incident, Air India Group ordered drug tests for all its pilots.",
  "summary": "The captain of an Air India flight that suffered a dramatic altitude drop while flying from Phuket to Delhi tested “non-negative” for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test, according to a preliminary investigation into the accident. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) described the finding as a “serious concern” and recommended that the Directorate General of Civil…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Pilot of Air India Phuket-Delhi flight, that dropped 300 feet, tests 'non-negative' for drug use",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/pilot-of-air-india-phuket-delhi-flight-that-dropped-300-feet-tests",
        "published": "2026-09-04T05:44:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Air India Phuket-Delhi incident: AAIB initial report flags hydraulic failure, pilot’s drug test",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/air-india-phuket-delhi-incident-aaib-initial-report-flags-hydraulic",
        "published": "2026-09-04T07:27:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Air India probe flags hydraulic loss, pilot drug test",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/air-india-probe-flags-hydraulic-loss-pilot-drug-test-5518489",
        "published": "2026-09-04T07:38:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Air India probe flags hydraulic loss, pilot drug test",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/air-india-probe-flags-hydraulic-loss-pilot-drug-test",
        "published": "2026-09-04T07:58:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "AAIB flags Air India pilot’s positive psychoactive substance test after Phuket flight altitude scare",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/aaib-flags-air-india-pilots-positive-psychoactive-substance-test",
        "published": "2026-09-04T09:48:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Investigation into Air India flight plunge highlights triple hydraulic failure and pilot drug test",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/investigation-into-air-india-flight-plunge-highlights-triple",
        "published": "2026-09-04T09:57:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}