Air India has terminated the pilot-in-command of its Phuket-Delhi flight that experienced a sudden loss of altitude during cruise last month after a confirmatory test returned a “non-negative” result for a psychoactive substance, the airline said on Friday. The development follows the release of a preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the August 4 incident involving flight AI2379.
The flight encountered a sudden loss of altitude while cruising, leaving 20 passengers and four crew members injured. The aircraft subsequently landed in Delhi, where medical assistance was provided to those hurt in the incident.
Pilot terminated immediately
According to the AAIB’s preliminary findings, the pilot-in-command returned a “non-negative” result for a psychoactive substance during a confirmatory test conducted following the incident. Air India said it had acted immediately after the test result emerged.
“Safety remains Air India’s highest priority,” an airline spokesperson said. The carrier said the pilot’s employment had been terminated with immediate effect in line with its zero-tolerance approach towards violations involving safety, fitness or regulatory requirements.
The termination comes as aviation authorities continue examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. The AAIB investigation is expected to scrutinise the sequence of events aboard the flight and other operational factors before issuing its final conclusions.