An Air India pilot has reportedly tested positive for drugs following a severe mid-air turbulence incident that shook a flight carrying 137 passengers, according to multiple Bangladeshi news outlets.
The pilot was described as having red eyes and appearing intoxicated before the flight, Bangla Tribune reports. The incident occurred mid-flight, with the aircraft experiencing violent shaking that lasted four to five minutes, according to Anandabazar Patrika. The turbulence reportedly caused injuries to cabin crew members, including impacts to their necks and spines.
The pilot's drug test came back positive for cannabis, The Business Standard reports. Investigators are now analyzing the flight recorders from the Phuket-Delhi route to determine what exactly happened during the incident, according to Anandabazar Patrika.
The reports, published Wednesday, do not specify the exact date of the flight or whether the pilot has been suspended. They also do not detail the extent of injuries sustained by the crew or whether any passengers were hurt.
The incident raises serious questions about pilot screening procedures and substance abuse protocols within Indian aviation. Air India has not yet issued a public statement regarding the reports, and it remains unclear whether the airline has launched its own internal review.
What to watch next: Whether India's aviation regulator steps in with a formal investigation and what disciplinary action, if any, is taken against the pilot.
