# Air India pilot’s dope test flagged after 300-ft drop; both de-rostered

2026-08-09T15:41:00+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

The DGCA has de-rostered both pilots of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi after the aircraft lost 300 feet of altitude on August 4, injuring 17 people. The pilot-in-command's initial psychoactive substance screening indicated a result requiring confirmatory testing, and samples have been sent to a certified lab. A source close to the pilot told New Indian Express he had taken anti-depressant tablets, not a banned substance. The Airbus A320, flight AI2379, was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew. The AAIB has classified it as a 'serious incident' and is investigating. Both pilots also passed a Breathalyser test for alcohol. The confirmatory test result is awaited.

## Coverage

- ndtvprofit.com <https://www.ndtvprofit.com/india/moca-orders-aircraft-accident-investigation-body-to-look-into-air-india-phuket-delhi-incident-11886699#publisher=newsstand>
- newindianexpress.com <https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Aug/09/both-pilots-on-board-air-indias-phuket-delhi-flight-de-rostered-final-dope-test-result-awaited>
- thefederal.com <https://thefederal.com/category/news/air-india-phuket-delhi-flight-altitude-drop-pilot-test-confirmatory-analysis-253028>

Tags: AAIB, Air India, aviation safety, DGCA, Phuket-Delhi, pilot drug test
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Cite: https://indianopinion.org/india-orders-probe-into-air-india-pilot-drug-incident-on-phuket-delhi-flight/#story-in-brief

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