An Air India Airbus A320 carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members lost around 300 feet during a flight to New Delhi, leaving 17 people injured and prompting an aviation safety investigation.
India’s aviation ministry said Sunday that the pilot of an Air India flight that suddenly lost altitude during turbulence is undergoing a confirmatory test for psychoactive substances after an initial screening produced a result requiring further analysis.
The Airbus A320 was travelling from Phuket, Thailand, to New Delhi on August 4 when it suddenly lost around 300 feet (91 metres) in altitude. The aircraft later stabilised and landed safely in the Indian capital.
The incident resulted in injuries to passengers and crew and has now been formally classified as a “Serious Incident” by Indian aviation authorities.
17 Passengers and Crew Injured
The aircraft was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members when the incident occurred.
After landing in New Delhi, eight passengers and four cabin crew members were taken to hospitals for treatment. Their conditions were later described as stable.
Videos recorded after the incident showed cabin baggage scattered throughout the aircraft’s cabin, while some injured passengers were reportedly taken from the aircraft on stretchers.
The sudden loss of altitude occurred while the aircraft was flying through turbulent conditions. The aircraft subsequently regained stability and completed its journey safely.
Pilot’s Initial Screening Requires Further Testing
Following the incident, both pilots underwent standard psychoactive substance screening tests, according to India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The ministry said the initial screening of the pilot-in-command (PIC) produced a result that required confirmatory testing.
“The screening test in respect of the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) indicated a result requiring confirmatory testing,” the ministry said.
The pilot’s samples have now been sent to a designated laboratory for further analysis, with the final report still awaited.
Importantly, an initial screening result requiring confirmation does not by itself establish that a pilot was under the influence of drugs or psychoactive substances. The authorities are awaiting the laboratory analysis before drawing any conclusions.
Both Pilots Removed From Flying Duties
The aviation ministry said both pilots involved in the flight have been removed from the flying roster while the investigation is underway.
It added that further action would be taken depending on the findings of the investigation and the results of the confirmatory test.
Air India separately confirmed that a post-flight screening test had been conducted on the pilots. However, the airline said the results had not been shared with the company.
The case is being investigated by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
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Flight Classified as ‘Serious Incident’
Authorities have classified the event as a Serious Incident, meaning it is being subjected to a formal aviation safety investigation.
Investigators are expected to examine several aspects of the flight, including the aircraft’s altitude change, weather and turbulence conditions, crew actions and the available technical and operational data.
The investigation will also determine whether any factor beyond the reported turbulence contributed to the aircraft’s sudden loss of altitude.
Until the investigation is completed, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under examination.
Latest Challenge for Air India
The incident comes as Air India continues a major transformation under the ownership of Tata Group, which took control of the airline in 2022.
Since then, the group has pursued an ambitious overhaul involving hundreds of new aircraft, fleet upgrades and the integration of its aviation businesses.
The airline has nevertheless faced several challenges, including aircraft delivery delays and disruptions linked to airspace closures following the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict.
The latest incident adds another challenge for a carrier attempting to rebuild its operations and public image.
Shadow of 2025 Air India Crash
The incident also comes just over a year after one of the most serious disasters in Air India’s history.
In June 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner travelling to London, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad.
The disaster killed all but one of the 242 people aboard the aircraft, while 19 people on the ground also died.
The crash had a major impact on Air India’s reputation and intensified scrutiny of the airline’s safety and operational standards.
Air India has since appointed former Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam as its new CEO, with the veteran aviation executive tasked with helping lead the carrier’s turnaround.
For now, investigators are focused on establishing exactly why the Airbus A320 lost altitude on August 4 and whether any additional factors contributed to the incident. The results of the confirmatory laboratory test are also expected to play a role in determining the next steps for the pilot and the airline.
