Air India pilot sacked for psychoactive substance

Notes

• Air India pilot-in-command (PIC) sacked following a positive test for psychoactive substances.
• Action initiated based on the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) preliminary report.
• Incident involved a Delhi-Phuket flight on August 4, resulting in 24 injuries to passengers and crew.
• Technical findings: momentary loss of altitude, failure of all three hydraulic systems, autopilot disengagement, and a two-second stall warning.
• Aircraft altitude fluctuated: initially gained 372 ft, then dropped 292 ft from assigned flight level 360.
• Cabin damage included dislodged ceiling panels, broken handrails, and damaged emergency exit/overhead-bin components.
• AAIB has recommended priority action by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
• Final investigation report is expected to take up to a year or more.

Part of a longer story

This is day 7 of 7 in Air India flight turbulence incident, which has been running since 5 August 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

• Air India flight turbulence incident Before
• The whole story 7 entries