Air India Mid-Air Scare Probe Reveals Pilot Who Tested Positive for Marijuana Was On Sleep Medication

New Delhi: Investigation into the mid-air scare aboard an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi has taken a dramatic turn, following revelations that the pilot-in-command tested positive twice for marijuana and was simultaneously taking prescribed medication for sleep difficulty.

The incident occurred aboard flight AI-2379, an Airbus A320neo carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members. While flying over Odisha, the aircraft suffered a sudden loss of altitude of approximately 300 feet, causing momentary "negative G" conditions.

At least 20 passengers and four cabin crew members sustained injuries, with several requiring medical attention upon landing. An internal flight safety report reveals that the captain disclosed taking doctor-prescribed sleep aids before the trip due to severe rest disruption.

According to his official statement, tight flight scheduling and layover timing compressed his available daytime recovery, leaving him unable to get adequate rest in Phuket. The pilot reported that for his initial duty leg, he had to report at 12:10 AM, requiring preparations to start before 10 PM. After completing post-flight duties and reaching the hotel, available rest during the layover was drastically reduced.

"I disclose, for completeness, that I had separately been experiencing sleep difficulty over a preceding period, related to personal circumstances, for which I had been prescribed medication by my family doctor," the pilot stated in his safety submission, adding that light activity like walking during the layover failed to produce quality sleep.

The investigation has also drawn critical attention to the captain's conduct on board. According to incident reports, the pilot was not in his seat when the aircraft experienced the severe drop in altitude, leaving the co-pilot in command. Following the sudden descent, the captain allegedly entered the passenger cabin to assess injuries and instructed passengers not to record video or take photographs.

Sources indicate that upon landing safely in Delhi, the pilot appeared physically unsteady and required assistance to walk and submit his urine sample. Reports further suggest crew friction leading up to the flight, including an incident on the outbound leg where a cabin attendant was reprimanded over flight deck seat protocols, prompting the pilot to host an all-crew gathering in Phuket ahead of the return flight.

Both pilots have been taken off flight duties as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) continue a comprehensive investigation into human factors, operational scheduling, and potential technical snags.

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