Air India Cannot Comment on Captain's Drug Test After Turbulence Incident

Air India has stated it cannot comment on the reported positive drug test of the captain involved in a severe turbulence incident, as the airline has not yet received the official results. The incident occurred on August 4, 2026, when Air India flight AI2379, an Airbus A320 traveling from Phuket to Delhi, encountered severe turbulence over Odisha, causing a sudden altitude drop of approximately 300 feet. The event resulted in injuries to 13 passengers and four crew members, who were hospitalized.

According to multiple reports, the captain underwent a postflight psychoactive substance screening after the aircraft landed safely at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. However, Air India emphasized in a statement on August 9 that while it is aware the test was conducted per standard protocols, the results have not been shared with the airline. "We are therefore not in position to comment on any findings," a spokesperson said. The airline added that it undertakes regular drug testing of crew members in compliance with civil aviation regulations, independent of any specific incident.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the...