Newspunjab
13 August,2026
The interim report of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in the turbulence case related to Air India’s Phuket-Delhi flight AI 2379 is expected to come before a month. According to sources, the government has directed to expedite the investigation. The flight coming from Phuket, Thailand to Delhi was at an altitude of about 36 thousand feet, when the plane suddenly came down about 300 feet. About 24 passengers were injured in this incident. The flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) have been secured for investigation, while medical records and statements of passengers are also being collected. Meanwhile, it has come to light that the second dope test of the chief pilot of the flight has also come positive. It has been told that the test conducted after the flight in Delhi showed signs of drug use by the pilot and the second test conducted later also confirmed this. Following the incident, Air India and Air India Express have decided to screen over 5,000 of their pilots for psychoactive substances. An internal memo sent by both airlines to pilots said that they will be screened for banned substances and drugs as per existing rules. The aviation regulator and the civil aviation ministry have also asked Air India to improve operational procedures and further tighten safety standards.
