Air India Captain Tests Positive for Marijuana After Mid-Air Drop

An Air India Airbus A320neo traveling from Phuket to New Delhi experienced a sudden 300-foot altitude drop over Odisha on August 4, 2026. The incident injured approximately 20 passengers and four cabin crew members, some of whom suffered spinal injuries and required hospitalization. While the pilot's preliminary report cited technical failures—including autopilot disconnection and a stall warning—passengers alleged the captain appeared impaired during boarding and discouraged them from recording the event.

Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) initially reported that the pilot-in-command's preliminary drug screening was non-negative. Subsequent confirmatory laboratory tests confirmed the captain tested positive for marijuana. In response, the DGCA removed both pilots from the flight roster. The Ministry of Civil Aviation summoned outgoing Air India CEO Campbell Wilson to discuss the incident and broader operational safety concerns.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has classified the event as a Serious Incident and is leading a comprehensive probe into technical, medical, and human factors. The investigation is being supported by technical specialists from Airbus SE and France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA). Investigators are specifically examining whether the captain's impaired state led to a delayed reaction when manual control was required following the autopilot disengagement. A preliminary report is expected by September 4.