Tata carrier dismisses flight commander over failed psychoactive substance test
Tata-owned Air India dismissed the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight after a post-flight medical exam confirmed the use of a psychoactive substance. Flight AI2379 gained sudden national attention on August 4 when it encountered severe trouble mid-air over Odisha, leaving 24 passengers injured out of the 145 people on board. Commercial aviation regulations mandate strict physiological readiness to protect passenger lives during high-altitude emergencies. Aligning with these industry standards, the airline announced its zero-tolerance policy toward safety and fitness violations directly led to the immediate termination of the captain.
Technical Failures
Investigators detailed a frightening sequence of events while the Airbus A320 cruised at 36,000 feet. The aircraft suffered a near-simultaneous failure of all three hydraulic systems. Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau officials stated this rare event caused an autopilot disconnect and triggered a brief stall warning in the cockpit. Flight data indicates the plane initially climbed 372 feet from its assigned altitude before plunging 292 feet. During the onset of the emergency, the co-pilot was flying the aircraft and attempted to stabilise it before the main captain took over the controls.
Post-Flight Investigation Findings
Authorities officially classified the severe altitude drop as an accident after an initial assessment in Delhi. Maintenance personnel had found no discrepancies during routine pre-flight checks in Phuket, and the preliminary report did not explicitly link the commander's drug use to the sudden mechanical failure. Medical staff tested both flight deck crew members upon their safe arrival. The co-pilot returned a negative result, but the captain tested positive for restricted substances in a confirmatory screening. Federal aviation investigators recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation take priority disciplinary action against the dismissed captain. Reacting to the alarming discovery, Air India immediately expanded its safety protocols. The carrier initiated voluntary testing for 100 percent of its pilots to enforce strict compliance with national and international medical requirements.
Air India Terminate Phuket - Delhi Pilot
