An investigation into an Air India flight that experienced severe turbulence and left passengers injured has revealed that the pilot was allegedly under the influence of marijuana during the flight. The Airbus A320, operating as flight AI2379 from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi, India, encountered turbulence approximately 90 minutes after takeoff on Tuesday, August 4.
The sudden drop in altitude caused passengers who were not wearing seatbelts to strike the cabin ceiling, resulting in injuries to at least 12 passengers and crew members. Emergency services met the aircraft upon its arrival at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.
According to Indian news outlet NDTV, the pilot failed two drug tests, which indicated the presence of marijuana. The pilot has reportedly denied consuming any psychotropic substances. Reports suggest the pilot was found on the cockpit floor when warning signals indicating a loss of altitude began to sound. Upon landing, he was allegedly unable to stand without assistance, with an investigator from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau reportedly helping him to sit and provide a urine sample.
One passenger recounted that the pilot appeared visibly impaired before the flight's departure, his eyes red and response slow. This passenger recalled telling his brother at the time that the pilot seemed high. The flight reportedly followed a crew party held in Phuket during a layover of less than 24 hours. One crew member is said to have filed a complaint regarding the pilot's alleged marijuana use.
The turbulence caused cracks in the plane's interior, and footage showed terrified passengers reacting to the shaking aircraft, which reportedly lasted for two to three minutes. Air India described the event as a 'brief turbulence-related event' caused by a sudden change in altitude. The airline stated that the safety and well-being of passengers and crew are its priority and pledged full cooperation with authorities during the investigation.