Two more Air India pilots fail preliminary drug tests after Phuket-Delhi incident

Two more Air India pilots have failed preliminary drug tests conducted under a new airline-wide screening programme launched after the carrier's Phuket-Delhi flight AI2379 suffered a serious in-flight control systems incident earlier this month.

According to sources cited by NDTV, the two pilots have been removed from flying duties pending the outcome of confirmatory laboratory testing. Final test results are awaited.

The development comes days after the pilot-in-command of the Phuket-Delhi service failed two urine tests administered after the aircraft landed in Delhi, with marijuana reportedly detected in his system.

Airline expands testing across pilot workforce

The Tata-owned carrier introduced enhanced drug screening measures following the August 4 incident involving an Airbus A320neo operating flight AI2379.

Sources told NDTV more than 300 Air India pilots have already undergone testing as part of the exercise.

Key details reported so far include:

• Two additional pilots have failed preliminary drug tests.
• Both pilots have been de-rostered pending final results.
• Confirmatory laboratory reports typically take 24 to 48 hours.
• More than 300 pilots have completed the screening process.
• The testing programme was introduced under a new standard operating procedure.

Air India has not publicly linked any of the preliminary test results to specific operational incidents.

Screening drive follows captain's failed tests

The airline's decision to broaden testing followed the outcome of screening conducted after flight AI2379 arrived in Delhi from Phuket.

According to NDTV, the flight's captain failed two urine tests administered after landing. Sources indicated marijuana was detected in his system.

The report also stated a cabin crew member had submitted a complaint alleging the pilot had previously smoked marijuana.

The allegations remain separate from the ongoing technical investigation into the flight incident.

Serious flight control failure remains under investigation

The expanded screening programme follows one of the most unusual technical incidents reported on an Airbus A320neo.

Data from aircraft systems and flight records indicated the aircraft experienced a temporary loss of key flight controls during the Phuket-Delhi service.

Reported findings include:

• The aircraft lost approximately 300 feet of altitude within seconds.
• Elevators and ailerons became unresponsive for around four seconds.
• Spoilers were also affected during the event.
• Multiple failures were reported across the aircraft's three hydraulic systems.
• Flight control surfaces drifted without pilot command during the disruption.

Hydraulic systems are essential for aircraft control. They power critical surfaces including elevators, ailerons and spoilers, which help pilots control pitch, roll, lift and braking functions.

The incident was initially reported as turbulence-related before subsequent system data pointed investigators towards hydraulic system failures.

Safety oversight under increased scrutiny

Air India has previously stated it conducts drug testing of crew members in accordance with civil aviation regulations and independently of specific operational events.

The latest preliminary findings, however, emerge amid heightened scrutiny of airline safety procedures following the AI2379 incident.

While the technical investigation continues to focus on the aircraft's hydraulic systems and flight control failures, the airline's expanded testing programme has opened a parallel review of crew compliance and operational safety standards.

The outcome of the confirmatory drug tests, along with the ongoing investigation into the A320neo incident, is expected to shape any further action by the airline and aviation authorities.