India’s aviation ministry said Sunday that an Air India pilot whose flight plunged dramatically in turbulence, injuring 17 passengers and crew is undergoing a “confirmatory” psychoactive drug test.
The Airbus A320, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew, lost around 300 feet (91 metres) on August 4 while flying from Phuket in Thailand to New Delhi, before stabilising and landing safely, the civil aviation ministry said.
Eight passengers and four cabin crew members were admitted to hospitals after landing in the Indian capital, whose conditions were described as “stable”, after which both pilots were given a standard “psychoactive substance screening test”, the statement read.
“The screening test in respect of the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) indicated a result requiring confirmatory testing,” it said.
“Samples have accordingly been sent to the designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis, and the final report is awaited.”
The ministry said the flight has been classified as a “Serious Incident”, and that India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched an investigation.
Both pilots have been removed from the flying roster pending outcomes of the investigation.