Air India pilot of turbulence-struck Phuket-Delhi flight flagged in drug test
The captain of Air India's Phuket-to-Delhi flight that hit severe turbulence was reported to have tested positive for a psychoactive substance upon landing.
An Airbus A320 carrying 145 passengers encountered intense turbulence near Odisha before dropping about 300 feet. After the aircraft landed in New Delhi, authorities administered a dope test to the pilot. Multiple sources say the test returned a positive result for a psychoactive substance. Air India has neither confirmed nor denied the report, noting that while the tests were performed, the outcomes have not been shared with the airline.
Why it matters
It raises safety questions about pilot health standards after a turbulence incident.
In this story
Air Indiapilotturbulencedope testpsychoactive substanceflight safetyOdisha