One of the pilots on an Air India Airbus A320 carrying more than 100 passengers tested positive for marijuana after the plane suddenly plunged 300 feet, injuring 20 passengers and four cabin crew members. The incident occurred on August 4 during a flight from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi, India.
Pilot removed from duty after positive drug test
Both pilots have been removed from duty as the investigation continues. The revelation that one pilot tested positive for cannabis has prompted Air India to announce it will drug test all of its pilots, going beyond current Indian regulations that require airlines to test at least 10% of their flight crews each year for drugs.
According to the Times of India, cabin crew on the Airbus complained to Air India that the captain appeared impaired onboard. One person told the newspaper: 'He was often sitting on the floor of the flight deck and tried to smoke. Cabin crew had to help him back to his seat. He was not in full control of himself. He was unable to walk properly after exiting the aircraft.'
Investigation ongoing but link not yet established
The current investigation has not found a link between the captain's reported positive test and the sudden loss of altitude. Air India's senior vice president for flight operations told pilots in a memo: 'We nevertheless now feel it is important to go further. Accordingly, we have decided to undertake a full screening of all group pilots for any substances or medications that are not permitted under prevailing regulations.'
Last year, an Air India flight crashed and killed 260 people. Earlier this month, it was revealed that investigators are leaning towards deliberate pilot action moments before that crash. The bombshell theory, which has been rumoured about for months since the June 12 crash in Ahmedabad, is looking increasingly likely in India's investigation, according to sources. The experts have already ruled out a mechanical failure, and they have not discovered evidence of sabotage, Bloomberg reports, citing people close to the probe, who asked not to be named as the potentially explosive findings are not yet public. It means pilot action remains the strongest line of enquiry in the crash, which left only one survivor.
