AAIB Investigates Air India Flight Altitude Drop as Pilot Fails Dope Test

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is investigating a serious mid-air altitude drop on an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi, while the pilot-in-command has failed a confirmatory dope test.

Key points

• Air India flight AI 2379 experienced a sudden 300-foot altitude drop over Odisha on August 4, resulting in injuries to multiple passengers and crew members.
• Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu stated that the ministry is taking the pilot's positive confirmatory dope test seriously and reviewing regulations.
• Outgoing Air India CEO Campbell Wilson briefed senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation regarding the ongoing probe.
• France's Bureau d'Enquetes et d'Analyses pour la securite de l'aviation civile and Airbus are providing technical assistance to the investigation under International Civil Aviation Organization protocols.

Why it matters

This incident highlights critical aviation safety, regulatory compliance, and crew substance testing standards following a severe mid-air safety occurrence.