Air India pilot tests positive for cannabis after 300ft flight plunge injures 24 passengers

An Air India captain who flew from Phuket to Delhi and suffered a sudden loss of altitude on 4 August has tested positive for cannabis, according to India’s civil aviation ministry. The flight plunged about 300 feet from cruising height, injuring at least 24 passengers, though it landed safely. After the incident, the pilots underwent drug screening; the captain’s first test required confirmatory testing, and a second test has now confirmed cannabis use. Investigators are also looking at the captain’s conduct after a cabin crew complaint to Air India. An internal safety report seen by NDTV says the captain was standing behind the co-pilot during an alert and later regained control to arrest the descent.