Two more Air India pilots have reportedly failed to clear preliminary drug screening conducted after the alarming Phuket-Delhi flight incident, deepening concerns over aviation safety and triggering fresh scrutiny of the airline’s cockpit crew. The development was reported by sources on Monday, August 17, as Air India continues an extensive testing programme covering its pilots.
The latest results come days after the captain of the Phuket-Delhi flight involved in a serious mid-air incident reportedly tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory examination. The episode has placed pilot fitness, substance-use controls and aviation safety procedures under intense scrutiny.
Two More Pilots Test Non-Negative
According to sources cited in reports, two additional Air India pilots returned non-negative results during preliminary screening for psychoactive substances. The airline has been conducting wider testing of its pilot workforce following the Phuket-Delhi incident.
The preliminary nature of the screening is important. A non-negative result does not by itself constitute a final confirmation of drug use. Confirmatory laboratory testing is required before definitive conclusions can be reached.
The two pilots have reportedly been temporarily removed from flying duties while further testing and procedures are completed.
The development is likely to intensify attention on Air India’s newly expanded drug-testing programme, particularly because the airline has moved beyond routine regulatory screening and ordered checks covering its wider pilot workforce.
Phuket-Delhi Flight Incident Triggered Safety Alarm
The expanded screening follows the August 4 incident involving Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to New Delhi.
The Airbus A320neo experienced a sudden loss of altitude of around 300 feet during the flight. The incident resulted in injuries to passengers and crew and initially raised questions about severe turbulence and flight-control problems.
Subsequent preliminary technical analysis by Airbus indicated that the aircraft briefly experienced a loss of hydraulic pressure across all three hydraulic systems, causing key flight controls to become unresponsive for several seconds. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is investigating the incident with assistance from Airbus and France’s BEA.
The technical investigation and the separate drug-testing issue are significant but should not automatically be treated as proof that substance use caused the aircraft’s altitude loss. Investigators are examining multiple possible factors surrounding the incident.
Captain’s Positive Drug Test Raises Fresh Questions
The controversy escalated after the pilot-in-command of the Phuket-Delhi flight reportedly returned a positive result for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test.
The initial screening had reportedly produced a non-negative result, prompting a mandatory follow-up examination. The confirmatory result later strengthened the concerns surrounding the pilot’s fitness to operate an aircraft.
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The case has raised difficult questions about how effectively airlines detect and prevent the use of prohibited psychoactive substances among flight crew members.
Aviation safety experts and regulators are expected to closely examine whether existing screening procedures are sufficient and whether additional safeguards are necessary.
Air India Expands Testing Across Pilot Workforce
Following the incident, Air India announced a comprehensive drug-screening programme covering its pilots.
The expanded initiative goes beyond the minimum regulatory requirement for random testing and includes checks at different stages and locations, including training facilities and pilots’ bases. The programme also extends to pilots working for Air India Express.
The airline’s move reflects the seriousness with which it is treating the issue. Mandatory screening is intended to identify potential substance-related risks before they can affect flight operations and passenger safety.
With two more pilots now reportedly testing non-negative, the programme has assumed even greater importance.
Final Reports Will Determine Next Action
The latest preliminary results are not the final word in either case. Confirmatory laboratory tests will determine whether the initial findings are substantiated.
Until those results are available, the pilots remain subject to the airline’s safety and administrative procedures. Any confirmed positive result could lead to further regulatory or disciplinary action depending on the applicable aviation rules and the findings of the relevant authorities.
The development also highlights the distinction between a preliminary screening result and a confirmed violation. Drug-screening tests can require additional laboratory analysis to establish the presence of prohibited substances conclusively.
Growing Pressure on Air India Over Safety
The latest development comes at a challenging time for Air India, which has faced heightened scrutiny over flight safety and operational standards following several serious incidents.
The Phuket-Delhi episode has become particularly sensitive because it combined a sudden in-flight altitude loss with subsequent revelations surrounding the captain’s drug screening.
Air India’s expanded testing programme is therefore being closely watched as the airline attempts to reassure passengers, regulators and its employees that cockpit safety remains its highest priority.
For now, the two latest cases remain subject to further confirmation. The outcome of the laboratory tests, along with the ongoing investigation into the Phuket-Delhi flight, will be crucial in determining whether additional action is required.
The unfolding developments could also influence future aviation safety protocols in India, particularly concerning pilot health checks, substance screening and procedures for removing crew members from duty when preliminary tests raise concerns.
As investigations continue, the aviation sector is facing renewed pressure to ensure that every pilot operating a commercial aircraft is medically and mentally fit, free from prohibited substances and fully capable of responding to emergencies at any altitude.
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