Air India's Phuket-Delhi flight pilot 'tests positive for marijuana' in second dope test

A pilot of Air India’s Phuket–Delhi flight AI2379 has tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory screening after an August 4 turbulence incident, sources said. Both pilots underwent mandatory psychoactive substance screening; the Pilot-in-Command’s initial result required confirmation and samples were sent to a designated laboratory. The Civil Aviation Ministry said on August 9 that a final report was pending, citing the need for confirmatory testing, and sources later reported a positive marijuana result. The Airbus A320 carried 145 people—137 passengers and 8 crew—when the aircraft reportedly lost about 300 feet in altitude and at least 17 were injured. Pending investigation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation removed both crew from the roster, classified the event as a serious incident, and secured the flight data and cockpit voice recorders. Airbus and France’s BEA are assisting.