Pilot high on marijuana causes turbulence injuries on Air India flight

On August 4, 2026, an Air India flight AI2379, which was traveling from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi, India, encountered severe turbulence approximately 90 minutes after takeoff. The incident resulted in injuries to several passengers who were not wearing seatbelts, as they were thrown against the cabin's ceiling due to a sudden drop in altitude. Reports indicate that the pilot was under the influence of marijuana during the flight, having failed two drug tests prior to the incident. Upon landing, the pilot was reportedly unable to stand straight and required assistance from an investigator from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.

The flight had a total of 134 passengers on board, and the turbulence was described as terrifying, with passengers witnessing the aircraft shaking violently for two to three minutes. Many passengers were asleep at the time of the turbulence, and they attributed the incident to a sudden change in altitude. The airline's spokesperson emphasized that the safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew were their main priority and stated that they would provide necessary support to those affected by the incident.

The investigation into the pilot's conduct revealed that he had allegedly consumed marijuana before the flight, following a crew party in Phuket that took place during a layover of less than 24 hours. One crew member filed a complaint against the pilot regarding his drug use. Despite the evidence, the pilot denied consuming any psychotropic substances, claiming he boarded the plane with his brother and inquired about their timeliness for departure.

This incident comes in the wake of a previous Air India crash in June 2026, which resulted in the deaths of 260 people. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, raising concerns about the airline's safety protocols and the conduct of its crew members. The current investigation into flight AI2379 is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the pilot's actions and the overall safety measures in place for Air India flights.