Air India Investigates Turbulence Incident and Pilot Drug Test

An Air India Airbus A320 traveling from Phuket to New Delhi encountered severe turbulence over Odisha on August 4, 2026, causing the aircraft to drop approximately 300 feet. The incident resulted in the hospitalization of eight passengers and four cabin crew members. A passenger filed a complaint with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), alleging that the aircraft's sudden drop threw passengers against the cabin ceiling and that the crew discouraged recording of the event.

Air India is currently reviewing the experience internally. Following the landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport, reports emerged that the flight captain allegedly tested positive for psychoactive substances. The airline confirmed that a post-flight screening test was conducted on the pilots, though it stated that the results have not yet been shared with the company.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the DGCA have launched a detailed investigation into the occurrence. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu visited the injured passengers in the hospital to provide assistance. The airline maintains that passenger safety remains its highest priority and that all affected individuals received necessary medical support.