NEW DELHI, AUGUST 12 — The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has broadened its probe into Air India flight AI 2379 to assess cabin crew reports alleging severe incapacitation of the pilot-in-command during a flight emergency. The August 4 incident involved a momentary “negative G” situation that injured 24 people onboard after the aircraft suddenly dropped 300 feet over Odisha.
Formal statements submitted by cabin crew reveal that the captain displayed impaired coordination during cruise, necessitating physical assistance from flight attendants to remain seated. Ground medical reports confirmed the pilot subsequently failed drug screening tests for psychoactive substances.
Air India officials affirmed that the co-pilot acted swiftly to stabilize the aircraft after experiencing sudden altitude variation and technical system warnings.
Civil aviation authorities noted that regulatory frameworks governing pilot health certifications and drug testing procedures are currently under active policy review.
“We are studying the issue and are taking it very seriously,” declared Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu. “The current regulations will be improved if found not up to the mark.”
The Ministry of Civil Aviation affirmed that official findings will evaluate both human performance factors and logged mechanical errors to establish the exact sequence of events before releasing a preliminary safety report.
