Air India Phuket-Delhi Pilot Reportedly Slept Briefly Before Flight Amid Drug Test Probe

New Delhi, August 13, 2026; The commander of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi reportedly told investigators that he had been facing prolonged sleep difficulties and managed only around 30 to 35 minutes of sleep before operating the flight involved in a sudden altitude loss.

The disclosure has emerged during the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau‘s (AAIB) inquiry into the August 4 incident involving flight AI2379. The Airbus A320neo reportedly lost about 300 feet of altitude while cruising, leaving several passengers and crew members injured.

According to people familiar with the pilot’s questioning, he told investigators that personal circumstances had affected his sleep for some time. He also reportedly said that he had been taking medication prescribed by his family doctor for the problem.

The pilot’s account has come under scrutiny after a confirmatory drug examination reportedly detected cannabis. An earlier screening had been classified as requiring further analysis before the confirmatory result was obtained.

The pilot was questioned by investigators for more than an hour as part of the ongoing probe. Details of the medication he was taking and the duration of its use were reportedly not disclosed during the questioning.

The August 4 incident occurred while the Phuket-Delhi service was in cruise. The aircraft subsequently stabilised and landed safely in Delhi, while authorities continued investigating the circumstances surrounding the altitude loss.

The investigation is examining multiple aspects of the incident, including the aircraft’s performance, the circumstances surrounding the altitude change and information emerging from the crew’s medical and drug testing.

The findings remain subject to the ongoing investigation, and no final conclusion has been established linking the pilot’s reported sleep problems or drug-test result to the aircraft’s altitude loss.