The pilot of an Air India flight that suffered a sudden 300-foot loss of altitude while flying from Phuket to Delhi was taking medication for sleep difficulties, according to the airline’s internal flight safety report.
The pilot, who has tested positive for marijuana in two drug tests, said he had been experiencing sleep problems related to personal circumstances and had been prescribed medication by his family doctor.
Flight AI-2379, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, encountered the sudden altitude loss on August 4 while flying over Odisha. At least 20 passengers and four crew members were injured. The Airbus A320neo later landed safely in Delhi.
Pilot cites sleep difficulties, roster concerns
In his statement, the pilot said he had tried to rest during the layover in Phuket but found it difficult to sleep. He said he believed light activity, including walking, would help improve his sleep.
The pilot also raised concerns over the scheduling of his duties, saying that although the roster complied with prescribed rest limits, the timings had compressed his available daytime rest.
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For the first flight, he was required to report at 12:10 am, meaning preparations had to begin before 10 pm. After reaching Phuket, post-flight procedures and travel to the hotel took about 1.5 to two hours, further reducing his rest time. For the return flight, he said he had to wake up at 3 am IST.
The incident report also indicates that the pilot was not in his seat when the aircraft lost altitude, with the co-pilot in command at the time. He later went into the cabin to check on injured passengers and reportedly asked them not to film him or the aircraft.
Sources said the pilot appeared unsteady after landing and required assistance while submitting his urine sample for testing.
Both pilots taken off duty
The pilot’s conduct and the circumstances surrounding the altitude loss are now under investigation. Both pilots have been removed from the roster pending the inquiry.
Sources also said that during the onward flight to Phuket, the pilot had briefly left the cockpit and a cabin crew member was asked to occupy his seat as per procedure. Later, the pilot reportedly organised a gathering for the crew in Phuket before the return flight.
The incident has raised questions over pilot fitness, medication, drug-testing procedures, crew scheduling and cockpit operations as the investigation continues.
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