The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has flagged the confirmed detection of a psychoactive substance in the pilot-in-command of Air India flight AI2379 as a “serious concern” and urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to take action on priority. The finding comes as investigators examine the August 4 Phuket-Delhi flight, which suffered a sudden failure of all three hydraulic systems at 36,000 feet, triggering an altitude upset and injuring 24 people.
While the probe has established the hydraulic failure as a key event, it has not concluded that the substance use caused the incident. Air India has said safety remains its highest priority and that it is cooperating fully with investigators, while regulators are considering stronger safeguards for psychoactive-substance testing among pilots.
AAIB Calls Pilot’s Test Result A “Serious Concern”
The AAIB’s preliminary investigation found that the pilot-in-command’s post-flight psychoactive-substance screening returned a non-negative result, which was subsequently confirmed through a laboratory blood test. The co-pilot tested negative. The agency has recommended that the DGCA take “appropriate actions” on priority to prevent the abuse of psychoactive substances. Importantly, the preliminary report does not establish that the substance detected in the pilot caused the aircraft’s loss of altitude. Investigators are continuing to examine technical, operational, medical and human factors before drawing final conclusions.
The aircraft, an Airbus A320neo carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, lost hydraulic pressure in its green, blue and yellow systems within seconds while cruising over the Kolkata Flight Information Region. The failure temporarily affected flight controls, disengaged the autopilot and triggered a stall warning. The aircraft subsequently recovered and landed safely in Delhi, but the sudden movement injured 20 passengers and four cabin crew members; four people were seriously injured.
“We acknowledge the release of the preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and continue to extend our full cooperation to the investigation, including providing access to all relevant operational, maintenance and technical records.
— Air India Newsroom (@AirIndia_News) September 4, 2026
Safety remains…
Single Incident To Wider Safety Checks
he incident has already prompted Air India and Air India Express to strengthen internal safeguards. From August 13, the group began mandatory psychoactive-substance screening for all its pilots, going beyond the existing regulatory framework of random testing. Around 350 pilots had undergone the new screening by August 17, with two additional pilots returning “non-negative” preliminary results. Those results, however, required confirmatory testing and should not be treated as confirmed violations on their own.
The government has also indicated that India’s testing framework may be reviewed. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the DGCA was consulting stakeholders on how to make the policy stricter, including examining practices followed internationally. Under the existing framework, personnel who test positive can be referred for rehabilitation, while repeated violations can result in suspension or cancellation of a licence.
Air India, meanwhile, has said it continues to cooperate with the AAIB investigation and provide relevant operational, maintenance and technical records. The airline has stressed that safety remains its “highest priority”.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Aviation safety depends on more than technical reliability; it also requires a culture where fitness for duty, accountability and honest reporting are treated as non-negotiable. At the same time, allegations or preliminary findings should not become a reason for public vilification before due process is complete. The focus must remain on establishing facts, protecting passengers and crew, strengthening safeguards and ensuring that pilots have access to appropriate support without compromising safety. A transparent, evidence-based approach can protect both public confidence and the dignity of aviation professionals.
As India reviews its safety systems, what measures do you think would best balance accountability, prevention and support for pilots? This should include regular, confidential and scientifically robust testing, clear protocols for responding to positive results, independent investigations and stronger coordination between airlines, regulators and medical professionals. Airlines must also ensure that pilots can seek help for substance use, stress or mental-health concerns without fear of automatic stigma, while maintaining firm safeguards that prevent anyone unfit to fly from operating an aircraft.
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