Air India Captain Suspended After Alleged Positive Dope Test On Phuket-Delhi Route

The captain of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi that encountered severe turbulence on August 4 has reportedly tested positive for psychoactive substances in a post-flight dope test, according to sources. The pilot, who is in his thirties, has been temporarily removed from flying duties following the reported result. The development comes as authorities investigate the turbulence incident, in which the aircraft experienced a sudden altitude change and 17 people, including four cabin crew members, were injured.

According to sources, the post-flight screening was conducted by staff at Delhi airport on the directions of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which is responsible for investigating aircraft accidents and serious incidents. The tests reportedly included screening for psychoactive substances. The AAIB's involvement comes because the August 4 turbulence event is being treated as an accident for investigation purposes following the injuries sustained during the flight.

Sources said the pilots underwent breathalyser tests after the aircraft landed in Delhi and both results were negative. Blood and urine samples were subsequently collected for further examination. A preliminary screening reportedly indicated the presence of psychoactive substances in the captain's samples, following which another confirmatory test was conducted. The samples have reportedly been sent to a certified laboratory for confirmation. Sources also indicated that hair samples may have been collected as part of the testing process, although this has not been officially confirmed.

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Air India, however, said it had not received the results of the post-flight screening and therefore could not comment on the reported finding. In a statement, the airline said it was aware that a post-flight screening test had been conducted on the pilots in accordance with applicable protocols, but the results had not been shared with the airline. Air India also said it regularly conducts drug testing of crew members in compliance with civil aviation regulations, independently of any particular flight or operational incident.

The reported test result comes days after the Phuket-Delhi flight experienced severe turbulence during its journey to the Indian capital. The aircraft reportedly dropped around 300 feet during the turbulence, resulting in injuries to passengers and crew members. The aircraft subsequently landed safely in Delhi, while several injured people were taken for medical attention. Four cabin crew members were among those injured, with some requiring hospitalisation, according to reports on the incident.

The reported dope-test result does not by itself establish that the captain was under the influence of a substance while operating the flight. The confirmatory laboratory examination and the findings of the ongoing investigation will be important in determining the significance of the preliminary result. Authorities are also examining the circumstances surrounding the turbulence event separately, including the flight's operations and the injuries sustained onboard.

The development has nevertheless added another layer to scrutiny of the August 4 incident and the procedures governing the fitness of flight crew. Air India said it would continue cooperating with the relevant authorities as required. Until the confirmatory test results and any official findings are released, the reported positive screening remains an allegation rather than an established conclusion about the captain's condition during the flight.

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