# Air India turbulence incident and pilot drug test report > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/air-india-flight-turbulence-incident > Updated: 2026-08-08T12:53:27.000Z. Sources: 96. Developments: 3. On 4 August 2026, an Air India Airbus A320neo (flight AI2379) from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe turbulence over the Bay of Bengal, dropping approximately 300 feet in seconds. The sudden descent injured 17 people—13 passengers and four cabin crew—with several suffering spinal or neck injuries. The aircraft landed safely at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have launched detailed inquiries into the cause of the turbulence and the pilot's conduct. Air India is cooperating to determine if the event was caused by clear-air turbulence, jet-stream changes, or technical issues. On 8 August, reports emerged regarding the pilot-in-command's drug screening. While breathalyzer tests were negative, initial toxicology results reportedly indicated the presence of a psychoactive substance, necessitating further investigation. The DGCA clarified that a final determination is pending the results of a secondary confirmatory test from an accredited laboratory. Air India has stated it has not yet received the official laboratory findings. Both pilots involved in the flight have been removed from flying duties pending the conclusion of the investigation into the turbulence, the crew's handling of the incident, and potential mechanical or hydraulic issues. ## Claims - Air India has not been provided with the official results of the post-flight drug screening. (disputed by 13 sources) - The pilot-in-command of Air India flight AI2379 reportedly tested positive for a psychoactive substance in a post-flight screening. (disputed by 12 sources) - Air India flight AI2379 experienced a sudden altitude loss of approximately 300 feet near Odisha on August 4. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the flight incident. (corroborated by 17 sources) - Both pilots from the Phuket-Delhi flight have been removed from flying duties pending the investigation. (corroborated by 9 sources) - At least 17 people were injured during the turbulence incident. (corroborated by 7 sources) - A secondary confirmatory test for the pilot is currently pending. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The incident has been classified as a 'Serious Incident'. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The aircraft involved was an Airbus A320neo with registration VT-EXO. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-08: Air India pilot under probe after turbulence-hit Phuket-Delhi flight An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi experienced severe turbulence and a 300-foot altitude drop on August 4. Both pilots are grounded pending investigations into a reported positive drug screening. 23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/air-india-turbulence-investigation-launched-after-phuket-delhi-flight-injuries ### 2026-08-06: Air India flight encounters severe turbulence, injuring 17 passengers An Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi dropped 300 feet due to severe turbulence, injuring 17 passengers and crew. The DGCA is investigating the incident and the airline's response. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/air-india-flight-from-phuket-to-delhi-suffers-turbulence-17-injured ### 2026-08-04: Air India Flight AI2379 Turbulence Injures 17, DGCA Probes Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi hit severe turbulence on 4 Aug 2026, dropping ~300 ft, injuring 12‑17 people (including 4 crew with spinal injuries). The Airbus A320 landed safely in Delhi; DGCA is 70 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/air-india-flight-ai2379-turbulence-injures-12-passengers-to-delhi --- Cite as: Air India turbulence incident and pilot drug test report. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/air-india-flight-turbulence-incident