The pilot commanding an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight that experienced a sudden loss of altitude on August 4, leaving several passengers injured, reportedly told investigators that he had slept for only around 30–35 minutes during his layover in Phuket.
According to two people familiar with the pilot's questioning by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the commander said he had been experiencing sleep difficulties for some time and was taking medication prescribed by his family doctor.
The pilot's account has emerged amid scrutiny over a drug test that initially returned a “non-negative” result and was subsequently confirmed positive for cannabis.
Pilot Reportedly Questioned for More Than an Hour
The commander was questioned by investigators for more than an hour as part of the ongoing inquiry into the August 4 incident. According to people familiar with his account, he said he had been unable to sleep properly while staying in Phuket.
One person said the pilot attributed his sleep problems to personal circumstances and indicated that the issue had persisted for some time.
The pilot reportedly did not disclose the name of the medication he was taking or specify how long he had been using it.
Cannabis Test Adds to Investigation
The development comes after the pilot's preliminary post-flight drug screening was reportedly marked “non-negative”, meaning the sample had been flagged for further examination.
A subsequent confirmatory test reportedly detected cannabis, bringing the pilot's medical fitness and possible substance exposure into focus as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the flight.
A positive toxicology result does not by itself establish that cannabis consumption caused the aircraft's sudden loss of altitude. Investigators will need to establish the timing of any substance exposure, its possible effects, the pilot's medical condition and other operational factors.
Investigation Into Sudden Altitude Loss Continues
The Phuket-Delhi flight incident is being examined by the AAIB as investigators work to determine why the aircraft suddenly lost altitude and caused injuries among passengers.
The pilot's reported lack of sleep, medication, and toxicology findings are among the factors that could be assessed as part of the broader investigation. However, the final cause of the incident will depend on evidence gathered from the aircraft, flight data, crew accounts, medical records and other relevant sources.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no final conclusion has yet been established regarding the role, if any, played by the pilot's reported sleep difficulties or cannabis-positive test in the flight incident.
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