An Air India pilot has been suspended following the results of a preliminary drug test, carried out following the turbulence on August 4th in which 17 people were injured.
Chaos on Air India flight
The Indian government, as reported by local media, has confirmed that a first drug test on the captain of the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight on August 4 was “non-negative”. This is the flight, which suddenly lost about 300 feet of altitude, causing 17 injuries. There were also several Italians on board.
The sample was then sent for confirmatory analysis in the laboratory, as required by the procedures of the local Civil Aviation Authority. While awaiting the final report, both pilots were suspended from flying duty.
What happened
Last August 4, the Airbus A320 of flight AI 2379 suffered a sudden loss of altitude during the cruise, causing several injuries on board. The plane then landed regularly in Delhi. According to local rules, if a screening test for psychoactive substances comes back non-negative, the pilot must be immediately removed from any sensitive duties until the confirmatory result arrives. In case of a confirmed positive test, the pilot is directed to a rehabilitation program.