300-ft drop, failed drug tests, sleep meds: New details emerge on Air India flight scare

The Air India pilot who was in command of a flight that suddenly lost 300 feet in altitude last week was taking prescribed medication for sleep difficulties, according to the airline's internal flight safety report accessed by NDTV.

The pilot of flight AI-2379 from Phuket to Delhi has also tested positive for marijuana in two drug tests, sources said. He has, however, denied consuming any psychotropic substance.

The Airbus A320neo, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, experienced the sudden altitude loss during its cruise on August 4. At least 20 passengers and four crew members were injured. The aircraft later landed safely in Delhi.

Pilot cited sleep difficulties

In his statement, the pilot said he was experiencing sleep problems because of personal circumstances and had been prescribed medication by his family doctor.

"I disclose, for completeness, that I had separately been experiencing sleep difficulty over a preceding period, related to personal circumstances, for which I had been prescribed medication by my family doctor," the pilot said, reported NDTV.

He also described difficulties resting during the Phuket layover.

"During the layover, I personally attempted rest; sleep did not come easily, and I judged that light activity such as walking would be constructive for sleep quality," he said.

The pilot also said his roster was legally within prescribed rest limits but that the scheduling "compressed available daytime rest, which is often below the minimum required for adequate recovery".

Pilot's conduct under investigation

The flight safety report indicates that the pilot was not in his seat when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude, with the co-pilot in command at the time.

Sources said the pilot later went into the cabin to check on injured passengers and crew and allegedly asked passengers not to film him or the aircraft.

After landing, he was reportedly unsteady on his feet and had to be helped to sit down. An accident investigator from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) also physically assisted him while he submitted a urine sample.

Sources confirmed that the pilot failed two drug tests, which showed the presence of marijuana. At least one cabin crew member has also reportedly filed a complaint alleging that the pilot smoked marijuana, NDTV reported.

Phuket party and crew dispute

Sources said the pilot took the crew to a party in Phuket during a layover of less than 24 hours. The gathering allegedly followed an incident involving a cabin attendant whom the pilot had reprimanded during the earlier Delhi-Phuket flight.

Both pilots have been taken off the roster pending the inquiry. The AAIB is questioning the pilots and cabin crew as part of its investigation into the incident.