Goa: An Air India flight operating from Phuket to Delhi has come under scrutiny following a mid-air incident in which the aircraft reportedly experienced a sudden loss of approximately 300 feet in altitude on August 4, 2026. The Airbus A320neo, operating as AI2379, was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members at the time. Despite the incident, the aircraft completed its journey and landed safely in Delhi.
The incident initially appeared to be linked to severe turbulence, but subsequent developments have raised additional questions about what happened inside the cockpit and whether any other factors contributed to the sudden altitude change.
The sudden movement of the aircraft reportedly resulted in injuries to passengers and crew members. Subsequent reports put the number of injured at 24, although the figures have changed as authorities continued to assess the situation.
The incident is now being examined by the “Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau” (AAIB), which is looking into the circumstances surrounding the altitude loss. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s technical data, flight parameters, cockpit procedures, weather conditions and other relevant evidence before determining the cause.
The investigation took a fresh turn on August 11 after reports emerged that the pilot-in-command’s confirmatory drug test returned allegedly positive for marijuana.
However, the test result does not establish that the pilot was impaired during the flight or that the alleged marijuana consumption caused the aircraft’s altitude loss. Investigators would need to establish whether there was any connection between the test result and the events aboard the aircraft.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation had reportedly summoned Air India CEO Campbell Wilson to seek details regarding the incident and the airline’s handling of the investigation. Air India has maintained that it is cooperating with the authorities. Speaking to the media, Campbell said that they have shared the update on the ongoing investigations with the ministry.
The episode has renewed scrutiny of pilot medical screening, drug-testing protocols and aviation safety procedures, particularly concerning how potentially impairing substances are detected and dealt with.
While the aircraft landed safely, the incident leaves several important questions unanswered: What caused the sudden 300-foot altitude loss? Was severe turbulence solely responsible, or did technical or operational factors also play a role? And is there any connection between the pilot’s drug-test result and the incident?
For now, those questions remain under investigation. The final findings of the aviation authorities will be crucial in determining what actually happened aboard AI2379 and whether any safety procedures need to be strengthened.
