Indian authorities are investigating an Air India flight that plunged sharply shortly after take-off from Thailand’s Phuket last week, while reports that the aircraft’s chief pilot tested positive for marijuana have added a new dimension to the inquiry.
The Airbus A320, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, was flying from Phuket to New Delhi on August 4 when it suddenly lost around 300 feet, or 91 metres, of altitude. The aircraft later landed safely in the Indian capital, but the incident left 24 people injured, according to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
The figure is higher than the 17 injuries initially reported by Air India. The AAIB said it was conducting a systematic examination of technical, operational, medical and human-factor evidence related to the incident. The agency also pledged that its investigation would be independent, transparent and professional.
The inquiry has gained further attention following reports in Indian media that the flight’s captain failed a second drug screening test. NDTV, citing unnamed sources, reported that the pilot had smoked marijuana.
India’s aviation ministry said both pilots underwent standard psychoactive substance screening after the aircraft arrived in New Delhi. According to the ministry, the captain’s initial screening produced a result that required confirmatory testing, with the samples sent for further analysis. Both pilots have been removed from flying duties while the investigation continues. Air India, however, said it could not comment on the reported results because the authorities had not shared the findings of the post-flight screening with the airline. The carrier said it would continue cooperating with investigators and noted that its crew members undergo regular drug testing.
The investigation is being supported by aircraft manufacturer Airbus and France’s civil aviation safety agency, the BEA. Airbus has sent a team of experts to New Delhi to provide technical assistance, while the BEA confirmed its involvement but said it did not currently plan to send investigators to India.
The incident comes at a difficult time for Air India, which has been attempting to overhaul its operations amid a series of setbacks and continuing operational pressures. The airline suffered a major blow in June 2025 when London-bound Flight 171 crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 people on the ground.
Against this backdrop, the latest incident is likely to place renewed attention on Air India’s operational standards, crew safety procedures and regulatory oversight. The outcome of the ongoing investigation, particularly the confirmation or rejection of the reported drug-test result, could prove significant for the airline and India’s aviation authorities.
