New Delhi: The confirmatory drug test of the Air India captain who was flying the 4 August Phuket-Delhi flight that suffered a sudden 300-foot altitude loss has returned positive, sources familiar with the matter said Tuesday. However, there was no clarity yet on the substance detected.
The pilot-in-command of Air India flight AI 2379 was initially screened at the Delhi airport after landing and the results indicated a confirmatory test was required. The samples were sent for further laboratory testing, as required under the applicable procedure.
The government has officially not confirmed either the substance or the reported confirmatory result. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the ministry was taking the matter seriously, with aviation safety its “topmost priority”.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting an independent, evidence-based investigation into the incident. The AAIB is examining technical, operational, medical and human-factor evidence, including flight data, aircraft systems, maintenance records and medical information.
It said all material evidence would be assessed before any conclusions were drawn. It also urged the media and public not to draw conclusions from incomplete or unverified information while the probe was underway.
The investigation is being conducted with technical assistance from France’s Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses (BEA), along with technical representatives of Airbus, with the AAIB set to issue preliminary findings within the stipulated timeframe.
Minister Naidu met Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson on Tuesday, and said the ministry would await the full report of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) before deciding on further action.
He told news agency ANI that if substance abuse was established, the government is willing to review existing regulations, if required.
VIDEO | Delhi: On India's civil aviation ministry summoning Air India outgoing CEO Campbell Wilson over the Phuket-Delhi flight incident, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu (@RamMNK) says, "We wanted to get a direct update from Air India also on the incident and we… pic.twitter.com/34R0k33zcz
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 11, 2026
The Airbus A320, registered as VT-EXO, was operating a scheduled service from Phuket to Delhi when it experienced the sudden altitude variation of approximately 300 feet during cruise. The aircraft subsequently stabilised and landed safely in Delhi.
The aircraft was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members comprising two pilots and six cabin crew. Twenty passengers and four cabin crew members were reported to have suffered injuries.
Based on information received from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the nature of the occurrence, the AAIB has taken up the investigation under the applicable provisions and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) protocols. The requisite notifications have been made to ICAO and the concerned states.
The aviation ministry also said the sole objective of the investigation was to determine the circumstances and contributing factors relating to the occurrence and identify appropriate safety measures to prevent a recurrence.
It stressed that the investigation was independent, evidence-based and comprehensive, and cautioned that no inference regarding the cause of the incident should be drawn from any isolated piece of information while the probe is in progress.
The ministry said the participation of the State of Design and State of Manufacture in an aircraft incident of this nature is an established part of the international investigation framework prescribed under ICAO protocols.
Air India is yet to issue a statement on the latest developments.
In its previous statement, issued Sunday, it said, “We are aware that a post-flight screening test was conducted on the pilots in accordance with applicable protocols. However, the results of the test have not been shared with Air India, and we are therefore not in a position to comment on any findings.
“Air India undertakes regular drug testing of crew members in compliance with civil aviation regulations, independent of any specific flight or operational incident. We will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities as required.”
This is an updated version of the report
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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