Air India Orders Fresh Dope Tests For All Pilots Amid Phuket-Delhi Flight Probe

Air India has ordered a fresh round of mandatory dope testing for all its pilots following the controversy surrounding the captain of its Phuket-Delhi flight, who reportedly tested positive for marijuana after the aircraft experienced a sudden altitude variation on August 4.

The airline said the screening, which begins on Thursday, will cover all pilots and check for substances or medications not permitted under prevailing regulations.

Air India Orders Screening Of All Pilots

In a formal communication to employees, Air India said it already complies with the drug-testing requirements prescribed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which are broadly aligned with practices followed in other major aviation jurisdictions.

The airline said it had nevertheless decided to conduct a comprehensive screening of its pilot group following the recent incident.

The move comes as investigators examine both the technical and human factors surrounding flight AI2379.

11 System Alerts Recorded In Minutes

The investigation has taken a new technical turn after a post-flight maintenance report recorded 11 system alerts within two to three minutes.

The alerts included three hydraulic low-pressure warnings involving the aircraft's green, yellow and blue hydraulic systems. The autopilot was recorded as disengaging shortly after the hydraulic alerts.

Investigators are examining whether the hydraulic warnings were connected to the autopilot disconnection and the subsequent altitude variation.

The report also recorded alerts involving emergency exit doors and other aircraft systems.

Autopilot Disconnected Again Before Landing

The maintenance record contains another autopilot-off entry at 5:22 GMT, before the aircraft landed in Delhi.

According to sources, the autopilot may have been restored or re-engaged after its initial disconnection before being switched off again later in the flight.

Despite the multiple alerts, the Airbus A320 remained airborne for nearly one hour and 20 minutes after the initial hydraulic warnings and eventually landed safely in Delhi.

The maintenance report has been shared with the DGCA and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

300-Foot Altitude Variation Injured 24

Air India flight AI2379, operated by Airbus A320 aircraft VT-EXO, was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members when it encountered turbulence on August 4.

The aircraft experienced a sudden altitude variation of around 300 feet during cruise. Twenty passengers and four cabin crew members were injured, after which the aircraft stabilised and landed safely in Delhi.

Pilot Tested Positive For Marijuana

The investigation also came under scrutiny after the pilot-in-command reportedly tested positive for marijuana in confirmatory laboratory testing.

Both pilots underwent mandatory psychoactive substance testing following the incident and have been removed from the flying roster pending completion of the probe.

The AAIB, however, has cautioned against drawing conclusions from individual pieces of evidence while the investigation remains under way.