# Phuket-Delhi pilot fails dope test after severe turbulence

2026-08-08T23:40:44+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

The captain of Air India’s turbulence-hit Phuket-Delhi flight has tested positive for a psychoactive substance in a post-arrival dope test, sources told Times Now and India Today. The Airbus A320 with 145 people on board encountered severe turbulence near Odisha on Tuesday and suddenly dropped 300 feet. On landing in Delhi, 13 passengers and four crew members were hospitalised, some with spinal and neck injuries. Air India says it has not received the test results and cannot comment. A second confirmatory test has been conducted and its result is awaited. The DGCA is investigating whether the turbulence was handled correctly and whether the flight should have diverted. Both pilots have been taken off flying duty as per protocol.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/captain-of-turbulence-hit-phuket-delhi-flight-may-have-failed-dope-test/articleshow/133059271.cms>
- indiatoday.in <https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pilot-of-turbulence-hit-phuket-delhi-flight-failed-dope-test-taken-off-from-duties-say-sources-2966944-2026-08-09?utm_source=rss>
- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/delhi/air-india-pilot-tests-positive-in-dope-test-days-after-phuket-delhi-flight-hit-turbulence-article-155388734>

Tags: Air India, aviation safety, DGCA, dope test, pilots, turbulence
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