New Delhi: Air India has terminated with immediate effect the employment of the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance, the airline said on Friday. The action follows the preliminary investigation into the August 4 incident involving Air India flight AI2379, an Airbus A320neo operating from Phuket to New Delhi. The aircraft experienced a brief failure of all three hydraulic systems while flying at around 36,000 feet, resulting in the autopilot disconnecting, a stall warning and a sudden altitude deviation. Twenty-four people were injured in the incident.
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According to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), both pilots underwent post-flight medical screening after the aircraft landed in Delhi. While the breathalyser tests were satisfactory, the pilot-in-command returned a non-negative result for a psychoactive substance, which was subsequently confirmed through laboratory testing. Air India said it follows a strict zero-tolerance policy towards violations of safety, fitness and regulatory requirements. The airline also said it has begun voluntary testing of all its pilots as an additional safety measure.
The AAIB has recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action to address the issue of psychoactive substance use among aviation personnel. The investigation into the technical failure remains ongoing, with authorities examining the circumstances surrounding the simultaneous hydraulic-system failure. The incident has renewed focus on aviation safety, pilot fitness and the need for robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure that flight crew meet all safety and regulatory requirements.
