In light of the confirmatory test result, the probe agency recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action on a priority basis. The AAIB noted that detailed investigations into technical and other aspects of the incident remain underway, indicating that this preliminary report is not the final word on the broader circumstances surrounding the event.
How the Testing Unfolded
According to the report, both flight crew members underwent post-flight medical screening in Delhi, where their breathalyser results were found satisfactory. However, a subsequent psychoactive substance detection test returned a non-negative result for the pilot-in-command, while the co-pilot's sample tested negative. Following this initial finding, blood samples from both crew members were sent to a pathological laboratory for confirmatory testing. The report stated, "The sample of PIC was found non-negative. Subsequently, blood samples of both the flight crew were sent to the pathological laboratory for confirmatory test. The confirmatory test report of PIC was found non-negative whereas the sample of the Co-Pilot was found negative in both the tests."
Why It Matters: Airline Response and Safety Protocols
Air India said it was fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation and had initiated voluntary testing of all its pilots in the wake of the incident. In a statement, the airline reiterated that "Safety remains Air India's highest priority," adding that it maintains zero tolerance for breaches of safety, fitness or regulatory requirements. This response signals the airline's attempt to demonstrate proactive accountability while the investigation continues.
Pre-Flight Checks Showed No Red Flags
Notably, the AAIB report found no discrepancies during the aircraft's pre-flight inspection at Phuket, apart from an already invoked Minimum Equipment List item, a standard aviation provision allowing an aircraft to operate with certain non-critical equipment temporarily unserviceable under defined conditions. The flight crew also reported no discrepancies during their walk-around inspection prior to departure, suggesting the technical failure that followed was not flagged in advance.
Scale of the Incident
The flight carried a total of 145 people on board, comprising 137 passengers, six cabin crew and two pilots. According to the report, at least 20 passengers and four crew members sustained injuries during the incident, with the aircraft suffering damage primarily to overhead storage bins and ceiling panels, indicative of a significant in-flight disturbance.
What Went Wrong Mid-Flight
The Airbus A320, operating as flight AI-2379, experienced a loss of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at 36,000 feet over Odisha on August 4. The report detailed that the aircraft initially gained 372 feet before subsequently falling 292 feet from its assigned altitude, a sequence of events consistent with a serious hydraulic system failure affecting flight control stability at cruise altitude.
Industry Impact: Renewed Scrutiny on Pilot Fitness Protocols
This finding is likely to intensify scrutiny around pilot fitness testing protocols within Indian aviation, particularly regarding psychoactive substance screening procedures and their timing relative to flight operations. Air India's move to begin voluntary testing of all pilots following the incident suggests the airline anticipates continued regulatory and public attention on this issue.
The Bigger Picture
This incident adds to a string of recent operational and safety-related headlines involving major Indian carriers, underscoring the heightened focus on aviation safety compliance across the industry. The combination of a serious technical failure, a mid-air altitude deviation, and a positive substance test result for the pilot-in-command represents a multi-layered safety concern that investigators will need to examine comprehensively.
The Bottom Line
With the AAIB's detailed investigation still ongoing and the DGCA now expected to act on the recommended priority basis, this case is likely to have significant implications for how psychoactive substance testing protocols are enforced and reviewed within India's commercial aviation sector going forward.
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