Air India captain's initial drug screening prompts further testing after sudden altitude loss

An Air India flight traveling from Phuket to Delhi experienced a sudden loss of altitude, plunging 300 feet during transit. Following this incident, the captain of the aircraft underwent an initial drug screening. According to reports from Reuters and Bloomberg, this initial screening prompted the requirement for a second drug test for the pilot. While the sudden drop in altitude initially raised questions, the investigation is now expanding to determine the exact cause of the flight instability and the status of the pilot's medical compliance. Coverage from multiple outlets highlights conflicting or evolving theories regarding the cause of the plunge.

NDTV reports that the probe is widening to determine if the event was caused by turbulence or other factors, noting that sources suggest the pilot likely failed a dope test. Conversely, The Hindu reports that the event was not caused by turbulence, but was instead a rare flight-control event involving an Airbus A320. Furthermore, an exclusive report from The New Indian Express asserts that a triple hydraulic systems failure was the primary driver behind the altitude loss on the Phuket-Delhi route. This situation is critical because it involves the intersection of potential mechanical failure and pilot impairment. The mention of a triple hydraulic systems failure suggests a severe technical malfunction in the aircraft's control systems, which are designed with redundancies to prevent such occurrences.

Simultaneously, the focus on drug testing by Reuters and Bloomberg indicates that regulatory bodies are examining whether human error or intoxication played a role in how the crew managed the altitude drop or if the pilot was unfit for duty during the operation of the A320. Future developments will depend on the results of the second drug test and the final findings of the technical probe. Investigators are working to reconcile the report of a rare flight-control event with the suspected failure of the pilot's drug screening. Monitoring will center on whether the triple hydraulic failure cited by The New Indian Express is officially confirmed as the sole cause or if the pilot's condition contributed to the incident. Official statements regarding the captain's test results and the aircraft's maintenance history are the primary points of upcoming interest.