Air India Faces Fresh Scrutiny As 2 More Pilots Fail First Drug Test

Two more Air India pilots have failed to clear preliminary drug tests ordered by the airline following the Phuket-Delhi flight incident that left several passengers injured, according to sources. The final test results are awaited, while both pilots have been de-rostered in the meantime. The development comes as the Tata Group-owned airline continues testing cockpit crew under new procedures introduced after the Phuket incident.

Air India ordered its pilots to undergo drug testing after the pilot-in-command of the Phuket-Delhi flight reportedly failed two urine tests conducted after the aircraft landed. Marijuana was detected in his system, prompting the airline to introduce the wider testing exercise. More than 300 pilots have undergone the preliminary testing process so far, with final results generally taking between 24 and 48 hours.

The airline’s action also followed a complaint reportedly submitted by a cabin crew member on the Phuket-Delhi flight. The complaint allegedly indicated that the pilot had previously smoked marijuana. The airline has not publicly disclosed the identities of the pilots involved in the latest preliminary test results. The two pilots who failed the initial screening have been removed from flight duties pending the outcome of the final tests.

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The Phuket-Delhi incident involved an Airbus A320neo that experienced a sudden loss of control lasting several seconds. The aircraft reportedly dropped about 300 feet after multiple failures involving its three hydraulic systems. During the incident, key flight-control surfaces, including the elevators and ailerons, moved without pilot commands, while the spoilers also became affected by the hydraulic failure.

Hydraulic systems play a critical role in controlling an aircraft’s flight surfaces. Elevators control the aircraft’s pitch, allowing the nose to move upward or downward, while ailerons control roll by changing the aircraft’s orientation from side to side. Spoilers reduce lift and increase drag and can also assist with slowing the aircraft during landing. The reported simultaneous loss of control across these systems made the Phuket incident a significant safety concern.

The latest preliminary test results are part of Air India’s broader response to the incident and its efforts to strengthen cockpit safety procedures. The final results for the two pilots will determine whether further action is required, while the airline’s expanded testing programme continues. The incident has also brought renewed attention to drug-testing procedures and operational safety standards for airline pilots.

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