The Air India Phuket-Delhi flight pilot tested positive for a psychoactive substance during a post-flight screening after an altitude upset over Odisha, according to a preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The aircraft had 145 people on board when it experienced a sudden change in altitude during its journey to Delhi.
The report said the pilot-in-command (PIC) was initially found non-negative during a psychoactive substance detection test conducted after the aircraft arrived in Delhi. A blood sample was later sent to a laboratory for confirmation, where the result was again found non-negative.
The AAIB preliminary report said the co-pilot tested negative in both tests. The report also noted that the crew underwent breath-analyser examinations after arriving from an international destination, and both results were satisfactory. The report did not establish the circumstances surrounding the substance detected in the pilot.
The incident involved Air India flight A12379, operating from Phuket to Delhi. There were 137 passengers, including three infants, six cabin crew members and two flight crew members. At least 20 passengers and four crew members suffered injuries during the incident.
The aircraft was initially reported to have encountered turbulence. However, after investigators assessed the evidence and injuries, the occurrence was classified as an accident. The Air India Phuket-Delhi flight pilot testing positive for a psychoactive substance has now become a key part of the ongoing investigation.
The Airbus A320 first detected a loss of its green hydraulic system, followed shortly by losses involving the blue and yellow systems. The co-pilot was flying the aircraft. Attempted to manage the situation before the PIC took control. The aircraft rose 372 feet, then fell 292 feet from its assigned flight level of 360. The hydraulic systems were subsequently recovered, restoring the flight-control surfaces and allowing the aircraft to return to normal operation.
The psychoactive substance test result is among the issues being examined alongside the aircraft’s technical systems. The AAIB preliminary report said the investigation into technical and other aspects remains underway and recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation take appropriate action on priority.
The aircraft also sustained damage inside the cabin, mainly to overhead storage bins and ceiling panels. Pre-flight inspections in Phuket had found no new discrepancies apart from an existing Minimum Equipment List item.
