Captain of Air India flight that injured 24 is investigated after drug reports

NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s aviation ministry said Wednesday it was awaiting drug test results for the captain of an Air India flight that dropped about 300 feet (90 meters) suddenly midair last week, injuring 24 passengers and crew members.

The incident on the Airbus A320 took place shortly after it took off on Aug. 4 from Phuket, Thailand to New Delhi while carrying 137 passengers, including three infants and eight crew members. The aircraft later stabilized and landed safely in New Delhi, officials said.

The incident has come under intense scrutiny after local media reported that the captain may have tested positive for marijuana in a follow-up drug screening.

Following the incident, both pilots underwent routine screening for psychoactive substances after the flight landed, India’s aviation ministry said in a statement. Psychoactive substances include alcohol, drugs or other substances that can affect judgment and alertness.

The ministry said the captain’s initial test result required further laboratory confirmation and that both pilots were removed from flying duties pending the inquiry.

An official who spoke on condition of anonymity, because he was not authorized to speak to media, said details of the drug screening would be included in the investigation report once it is completed.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, or AAIB, is reviewing flight data, aircraft systems, maintenance and operational records, medical information, and conducting interviews as part of an independent investigation.

The aviation ministry said under international aviation rules, France’s air accident investigation agency, BEA, and aircraft manufacturer Airbus are assisting Indian investigators. They are providing technical expertise, aircraft design information and other documents to help determine what caused the incident, it added.

The incident is the latest setback for Air India as the airline works to overhaul its operations and rebuild its reputation. In 2025 a London-bound flight crashed shortly after take off from Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 people on the ground.

The carrier has also faced mounting challenges in recent years, including disruption caused by conflict in the Middle East and ongoing operational pressures.