The finding is classified as a serious concern by the AAIB, which has urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to take prompt and appropriate action. The incident, occurring on August 4, led to multiple injuries, with 24 people requiring medical assistance after the flight landed in Delhi. A preliminary report details the positive test result for the PIC, underscoring the gravity of substance abuse within flight crew operations. The investigation is ongoing, and the flight crew members have been derostered as the AAIB gathers further evidence.

The finding is classified as a serious concern by the AAIB, which has urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to take prompt and appropriate action. The incident, occurring on August 4, led to multiple injuries, with 24 people requiring medical assistance after the flight landed in Delhi. A preliminary report details the positive test result for the PIC, underscoring the gravity of substance abuse within flight crew operations. The investigation is ongoing, and the flight crew members have been derostered as the AAIB gathers further evidence.

The finding is classified as a serious concern by the AAIB, which has urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to take prompt and appropriate action. The incident, occurring on August 4, led to multiple injuries, with 24 people requiring medical assistance after the flight landed in Delhi. A preliminary report details the positive test result for the PIC, underscoring the gravity of substance abuse within flight crew operations. The investigation is ongoing, and the flight crew members have been derostered as the AAIB gathers further evidence.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Friday confirmed that the co-pilot of Air India flight AI 2379 from Phuket to Delhi, which experienced a 300-foot altitude drop during its cruise phase over Odisha, tested positive for a psychoactive substance. Calling it a "serious concern" in a preliminary investigation report, the probe agency asked the regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), to take appropriate action.

The incident was reported on August 4, when the flight suddenly lost altitude and left multiple people injured. As per the AAIB, a detailed probe is underway.

"In view of a non-negative result for psychoactive substances for one of the flight crew, it is recommended that DGCA may take appropriate actions as deemed fit to prevent abuse of psychoactive substances," the AAIB said in its interim safety recommendation.

Flight AI 2379 from Phuket to Delhi was operated with an Airbus A320-251N aircraft bearing registration VT-EXO. There were 145 people, including 2 pilots and 6 cabin crew, on board the plane.

According to the 10-page preliminary report, after the flight landed at Delhi Airport, 24 people were given medical assistance, and out of them, four had serious injuries.

The AAIB said that in this case, it has been observed that the Pilot-in-Command was found non-negative for a psychoactive substance in the confirmatory test.

"The confirmation of use of psychoactive substance is a serious concern, and AAIB recommends appropriate actions by DGCA on priority," it said.

The AAIB said that initially, it was notified that the aircraft encountered turbulence en route to Delhi. Based on the evidence collected and the assessment of injuries sustained by the persons onboard, the occurrence was classified as an accident.

The probe agency is scrutinising data and records collected from various stakeholders. Earlier, both pilots of the flight were derostered.

"The investigation team interacted with the flight crew and cabin crew (including the cabin supervisor) at Delhi Airport. Subsequently, both flight crew members were interviewed by the investigation team," it said.

The incident resulted in injuries to at least 17 of the 137 passengers and eight crew members onboard.

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