The captain of an Air India flight that experienced a sudden 300-foot drop in altitude has tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The incident occurred during an international flight operating on the Phuket-Delhi route, prompting aviation authorities and airline officials to conduct a thorough review of the crew and the aircraft's operation.

Confirmatory Screening Yields Positive Result

Following an initial screening after the flight, the pilot underwent secondary testing to verify the preliminary findings. According to sources, the confirmatory dope test subsequently yielded a positive result for marijuana, confirming the presence of the substance in the captain's system.

Drug testing protocols for flight crews are strictly enforced by aviation regulatory bodies to maintain commercial flight safety and crew readiness during operations.

Flight Control Anomaly Preceded Altitude Loss

The drug test results follow a severe in-flight disruption during the service between Phuket and Delhi. Reporting indicates that the aircraft suffered a rare flight-control event while airborne.

Immediately following the flight-control disturbance, the aircraft experienced an abrupt 300-foot altitude plunge. The unexpected drop raised immediate concerns regarding operational safety, triggering formal investigations into both mechanical performance and crew compliance.

Safety Protocol and Next Steps

Aviation safety guidelines strictly prohibit crew members from operating commercial aircraft while under the influence of banned substances. Investigations remain active as authorities examine the sequence of events surrounding the flight-control issue and the captain's positive substance test.