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Air India pilot undergoes drug test after Phuket-Delhi turbulence incident
An Air India Airbus A320neo flight from Phuket to New Delhi is under investigation following a serious mid-air turbulence incident on August 4. The aircraft, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, experienced a sudden altitude loss of approximately 300 feet while flying over Odisha.
The incident resulted in injuries to at least 17 people, including 13 passengers and four cabin crew members. While the aircraft stabilized and landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport, several individuals required medical attention for issues including spinal and neck injuries.
A major development in the investigation involves the pilot-in-command, who reportedly underwent a post-flight screening that indicated the presence of a psychoactive substance. The Indian civil aviation ministry confirmed that the pilot is now undergoing a confirmatory drug test at a designated laboratory. Both pilots have been removed from flying duties pending the final results of the investigation.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are conducting a technical probe to determine if the turbulence was weather-related, if the crew handled the event appropriately, or if mechanical failures occurred. Air India stated it has not yet received the official laboratory findings from the authorities.
Entities
Air India · Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau · Delhi · Directorate General of Civil Aviation · New Delhi · Phuket · Ram Mohan Naidu · Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The aircraft involved was an Airbus A320neo with registration VT-EXO. www.latestly.com · www.mangalorean.com
- [● 21 SOURCES] The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the flight incident. www.news9live.com · bhaskarlive.in · www.ibtimes.co.in · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.latestly.com · +15 more
- [DISPUTED] Both pilots from the Phuket-Delhi flight have been removed from flying duties pending the investigation. www.news9live.com · industrywired.com · www.newsbytesapp.com · yespunjab.com · www.tv9hindi.com · +6 more
- [DISPUTED] A secondary confirmatory test for the pilot is currently pending. www.timesnownews.com · industrywired.com · www.newsbytesapp.com · www.tv9hindi.com · yespunjab.com · +5 more
- [● 16 SOURCES] The pilot-in-command of Air India flight AI2379 reportedly tested positive for a psychoactive substance in a post-flight screening. www.news9live.com · bhaskarlive.in · www.ibtimes.co.in · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.latestly.com · +7 more
- [DISPUTED] Air India has not been provided with the official results of the post-flight drug screening. www.news9live.com · bhaskarlive.in · www.ibtimes.co.in · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.latestly.com · +8 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] At least 17 people were injured during the turbulence incident. www.latestly.com · www.mangalorean.com · www.newsx.com · www.timesnownews.com · www.news9live.com · +8 more
- [● 27 SOURCES] Air India flight AI2379 experienced a sudden altitude loss of approximately 300 feet near Odisha on August 4. www.news9live.com · bhaskarlive.in · www.ibtimes.co.in · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.latestly.com · +19 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] The incident has been classified as a 'Serious Incident'. industrywired.com · yespunjab.com · centreline.com.pk · islamabadpost.com.pk · www.aviatorsmaldives.com · +2 more