Air India terminates the employment of the pilot-in-command of a Phuket–Delhi flight after an Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) probe reports a non-negative result for a psychoactive substance in post-incident testing. Multiple outlets report the airline acts immediately following the finding.
The AAIB report is also tied to an earlier flight disruption in which the aircraft experiences an altitude upset after hydraulic systems fail and the autopilot disengages. One outlet describes brief loss of altitude and cabin damage, including cracked ceilings and a displaced commode. The report flags the substance-use confirmation as a serious concern and recommends prompt action by aviation regulators.
Across the coverage, the key differences focus on emphasis rather than fundamentals: some outlets concentrate on the termination decision, while others stress the AAIB’s framing that the confirmation of psychoactive substance use requires urgent response by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Several accounts also reference injuries among passengers and crew and note that investigations are ongoing.
