‘Pilot seemed high, eyes were red’: Passenger after pilot of turbulence-hit Air India plane tests positive for marijuana

An Air India pilot-in-command has tested positive for marijuana after a flight from Phuket to Delhi encountered severe turbulence, injuring 24 passengers and crew. The incident, which occurred on August 4, saw flight AI2379 suddenly lose 300 feet of altitude.

Following the incident, both the pilot-in-command and his co-pilot were removed from duty as per standard procedure. A passenger on the flight told NDTV that the pilot appeared "high" before takeoff, noting his slow responses and red eyes. This passenger also reported that the pilot asked them not to record anything upon landing in Delhi, suggesting a potential cover-up.

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My brother and I were the last passengers to board the flight, and the pilot boarded with us. I spoke to him and asked him whether the flight was on time or if we were late. He was very slow to respond, and his eyes were red. I told my brother then that he seemed high, and you all know what happened after that.

The pilot's drug test initially returned a "non-negative" result, prompting confirmatory testing. A government release confirmed that the pilot tested positive for marijuana. This revelation has intensified scrutiny on the airline's safety protocols.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting a probe into the serious incident. The turbulence caused injuries to 20 passengers and four crew members, with some sustaining head and back injuries. The passenger's account adds a disturbing dimension to the investigation, raising questions about the pilot's fitness to fly.

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The pilot in question has tested positive in the confirmatory test. He tested positive for Marijuana.