Full Breakdown
Air India Flight AI-2379’s Mid-Air Altitude Drop and Subsequent Pilot Drug Test
8/12/2026, 11:31:27 AM
Incident Overview
On August 4, 2026, Air India flight AI-2379, an Airbus A320neo from Phuket to New Delhi, lost about 300 ft (? 90 m) while cruising over Odisha. The aircraft, VT-EXO, carried 137 passengers and eight crew. Classified by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) as a “serious incident,” the plane stabilized and landed safely, but passengers and crew were injured during the abrupt altitude change.
Background & Context
The event follows recent safety concerns in India’s aviation sector, including a 2025 Air India Boeing 787 crash. Air India, majority-owned by the Tata Group with a 25 % stake held by Singapore Airlines, has been under financial strain after a loss of 220 billion rupees in the fiscal year ended March 31.
Technical Findings
Post-flight maintenance reports describe a cascade of hydraulic and flight-control failures preceding the altitude loss. Nine warning messages appeared within one minute, indicating low-pressure issues in one or two of the three hydraulic systems that power primary controls, landing gear, and brakes. An autopilot disconnect and simultaneous faults in both elevators triggered a stall warning; manual nose-down input contributed to the brief drop. Airbus technicians and France’s BEA have been dispatched to assist the AAIB investigation.
Data & Statistics
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Passengers | 137 |
| Crew | 8 |
| Injured passengers | 13–20 |
| Injured crew | 4 |
| Altitude loss | ~300 ft (? 90 m) |
| Aircraft | Airbus A320neo |
Timeline
- August 4, 2026 – Flight AI-2379 loses altitude; lands safely in Delhi.
- August 9, 2026 – Ministry announces the pilot-in-command’s initial drug screen was “non-negative”; confirmatory test pending.
- August 11, 2026 – Confirmatory test returns positive for marijuana; Ministry summons Air India CEO Campbell Wilson.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Ministry said both pilots are off the flying roster pending investigation.
- Air India confirmed post-flight screening but said results were not shared with the airline.
- The AAIB launched an investigation covering technical, operational, medical and human-factor evidence, with preliminary findings to follow ICAO protocols.
- Airbus pledged technical assistance under ICAO Annex 13.
- Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said the ministry will review pilot substance-use rules after the AAIB’s findings.
Criticism & Opposition
The Airline Pilots Association of India warned against self-medication, urged confidentiality of screening results, and cautioned that public disclosure could affect pilot privacy and morale.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Injury counts vary: Reuters reports 13 injured passengers; Bloomberg cites 20; Channel News Asia notes eight.
- Cause attribution differs: early statements cited “in-flight turbulence,” while later sources point to hydraulic failures and autopilot disengagement.
- Pilot drug-test: All sources agree the confirmatory test was positive for marijuana, but the official laboratory report has not been released.
The AAIB’s investigation continues, with preliminary findings expected under ICAO guidelines. Further updates from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, DGCA and Air India will shape any regulatory or operational responses.
