PHUKET/NEW DELHI – The captain of an Air India flight from Phuket to New Delhi allegedly tested positive for cannabis after his plane suddenly dropped 300 feet, injuring 17 people.
The Airbus A320neo was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members when it briefly lost altitude over the eastern Indian state of Odisha. The jet later landed safely in New Delhi, according to the Indian government.
Thirteen passengers and four crew injured
Thirteen passengers and four crew members were hurt in the incident. The captain’s initial screening for psychoactive substances produced a result that still needed lab confirmation.
India’s aviation ministry summoned Air India chief Campbell Wilson on August 12 for an explanation. The summons came days after the official investigation began.
Ministry demands answers from Air India
Neither Air India nor the ministry commented on requests about the case. Air India said it had not yet been informed of the drug test result.
Wilson told several media outlets that the airline had already reported interim findings from its own investigation to the ministry. The ministry announced on Sunday, August 9, that the first psychoactive substance screening required laboratory confirmation.
Airline majority-owned by Tata Group
Air India is currently majority-owned by the Tata Group. Singapore Airlines holds a stake of around 25 percent in the airline.
The flight departed from the Thai tourist destination of Phuket and was headed to New Delhi.