An Air India flight carrying 145 people from Phuket to New Delhi suddenly plunged 300 feet, injuring 17 individuals, according to sources cited by Reuters and Bloomberg.
Air India Phuket-New Delhi Flight Plunge and Official Probe
The Airbus A320neo carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members experienced a sudden loss of altitude while flying over the eastern Indian state of Odisha, according to government statements. The incident prompted a government response, including a summons issued to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson by the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation, as reported by Reuters. Government officials noted that the aircraft encountered a “momentary change in altitude” before ultimately landing safely in New Delhi. Investigations into the event revealed that 13 passengers and four crew members sustained injuries during the abrupt downward movement.
Pilot Drug Screening and Positive Confirmation Tests
Following the flight, preliminary checks for psychoactive substances required laboratory confirmation, leading authorities to subject the pilot to a second round of testing, according to Bloomberg reports. Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters and Bloomberg that the captain tested positive for cannabis on this secondary confirmation test. Mandatory screenings for psychoactive substances represent standard protocol during critical aviation investigations. Both Air India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation declined to provide comments to reporters regarding the test results and the ongoing inquiry.
Broader Aviation Safety Context in India
Passenger safety has emerged as a central focus within India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector. This scrutiny follows a fatal crash involving an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner in 2025, alongside various other reported safety lapses across commercial carriers in the region.
Did You Know?
Screening flight crews for psychoactive substances is a standard regulatory procedure triggered automatically following critical flight anomalies or safety investigations in commercial aviation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Air India flight to drop 300 feet?
Government statements indicate the Airbus A320neo experienced a “momentary change in altitude” while flying over Odisha, injuring 17 people before landing safely in New Delhi.
What were the results of the pilot’s drug tests?
According to sources cited by Reuters and Bloomberg, the flight captain tested positive for cannabis in a secondary confirmation test following initial preliminary screenings for psychoactive substances.
How many people were on board the aircraft?
The flight carried a total of 145 people, consisting of 137 passengers and eight crew members, according to published reports.
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