Cabin crew members of Air India flight AI2379 have reportedly complained to the airline about the alleged behaviour of the pilot-in-command (PIC) during last week’s Phuket–Delhi flight, adding to scrutiny surrounding the serious in-flight incident.
According to reports by The Times of India, the complaint comes after the PIC reportedly returned a positive confirmatory drug test for marijuana. Sources cited in the report claimed that the pilot appeared to be under the influence of a psychoactive substance during the flight. Air India has not publicly commented on the reported crew complaint.
One source reportedly alleged that the pilot was at one point sitting on the cockpit floor and needed assistance from cabin crew to return to his seat. The same source claimed that he appeared to have difficulty maintaining control of himself and walking after leaving the aircraft.
The co-pilot is also understood to have alerted ground personnel about the PIC’s behaviour. Both pilots subsequently underwent psychoactive-substance testing following the incident, and both have been removed from the flying roster pending the investigation.
The Airbus A320 operating AI2379 experienced a sudden loss of around 300 feet in altitude on August 4. The brief negative-G event reportedly caused passengers, crew members and unsecured objects inside the cabin to be thrown upward, resulting in injuries.
The aircraft eventually stabilised and landed safely in Delhi. Investigators are now examining the circumstances surrounding the altitude loss, including whether the reported condition of the PIC had any connection to the incident.
