Air India fires captain after AAIB flags substance use following Phuket–Delhi incident
New Delhi — Air India has terminated the services of the 34‑year‑old captain who commanded flight AI 2379 from Phuket to Delhi after confirmatory testing for psychoactive substances detected marijuana, the carrier said on Friday. The action follows a preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the incident on 4 August, when an Airbus A320neo operating the sector experienced a sudden altitude variation while cruising at 36,000 feet.
The aircraft was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, together with six cabin crew members and two pilots. At about 9:10 am, investigators reported an almost simultaneous loss of pressure in all three hydraulic systems — green, blue and yellow. The autopilot disconnected almost immediately and there was a brief stall warning, according to the AAIB preliminary findings.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Passengers (including infants) | 137 |
| Crew | 8 (6 cabin crew, 2 pilots) |
| Peak altitude gain before loss | +372 feet |
| Subsequent altitude loss | −292 feet |
| Injuries | 20 minor (treated and discharged); 4 hospitalised with serious injuries |
Flight controls returned to normal after the hydraulic systems recovered within seconds, the AAIB said. The aircraft continued towards Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) and landed safely at around 11:00 am. The crew had requested medical priority from air traffic control before landing.
Damage inside the cabin was significant, the preliminary report noted. Items affected included cracked ceiling panels, dislodged overhead‑bin doors, broken handrails, a damaged emergency‑exit handle and damage to a crew seat.
Timeline of testing and action
Immediately after landing on 4 August, the captain underwent an initial dope test that returned a “non‑negative” result. A confirmatory test carried out on 12 August reportedly detected marijuana. Air India said it took the decision to terminate the captain after the AAIB expressed serious concern about substance abuse by the pilot and asked the aviation regulator to prioritise the issue.
“The AAIB expressed serious concern over substance abuse by the pilot and asked the aviation regulator to prioritise the issue,” the preliminary report said, according to carrier statements.
Air India did not release additional personal details of the terminated captain beyond his age. The carrier’s announcement came hours after the AAIB made public its preliminary findings into the August 4 incident.
Local implications and oversight
- Passenger safety and confidence: The episode and the confirmation of substance use by a cockpit crew member are likely to raise concerns among regular travellers out of Delhi about operational checks and crew fitness protocols.
- Regulatory scrutiny: The AAIB has urged aviation authorities to prioritise the issue of substance abuse by pilots; the regulator may consider reviewing or tightening medical and testing procedures for flight crew operating to and from Delhi.
- Operational response: Despite the incident, the aircraft landed safely at IGIA and the airline and investigation agency coordinated emergency and medical responses for injured passengers and crew.
The AAIB’s preliminary report established the sequence of system anomalies and cockpit events but stopped short of assigning a final cause pending a full investigation. Further action by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation or other agencies may follow the AAIB’s final findings and recommendations.
Authorities and the airline said injured passengers received medical attention; 20 were discharged after treatment while four remained hospitalised with serious injuries at the time of the report.
