The confirmatory drug test of the pilot-in-command (PIC) of an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight has reportedly returned positive for a banned substance, according to sources familiar with the development.
The flight, which was travelling from Phuket to Delhi on August 4, suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude during cruise, leaving 24 passengers and crew members injured.
The pilot underwent a mandatory drug screening following the incident. After the initial test raised concerns, the sample was sent for a confirmatory examination. The second test has now reportedly returned positive for a banned substance.
However, Air India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have not officially confirmed the test result.
The incident is being investigated by the authorities, with the focus also on the circumstances surrounding the sudden loss of altitude and the condition of the flight crew at the time of the incident.
