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Air India Phuket-Delhi flight pilot was on prescribed medication for sleep difficulty, according to a report. The AAIB probe continues.
The Air India Phuket-Delhi flight experienced a sudden 300-foot altitude variation on August 4. (Video screengrabs/Social Media)
The pilot-in-command of the Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi that experienced a sudden 300-foot loss of altitude last week had been taking prescribed medication for sleep difficulty, according to an internal flight safety report accessed by NDTV.
The revelation comes as the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) continues its probe into the August 4 incident and has cautioned against concluding isolated or unverified information.
According to the report, the pilot said in his flight safety statement that he had been experiencing difficulty sleeping over a preceding period due to personal circumstances and had been prescribed medication by his family doctor.
He said that during the layover in Phuket, he attempted to rest but “sleep did not come easily”.
The pilot said he consequently chose to engage in light activity, such as walking, believing it would help improve his sleep quality.
He also raised concerns about the way his rostered duties affected the amount of daytime rest available to him.
Air India Pilot Cites Compressed Daytime Rest
In his statement, the pilot said that although his rostered duties were legally within prescribed rest limits, they were scheduled in a manner that “compressed available daytime rest, which is often below the minimum required for adequate recovery”, according to the report.
For the first flight, the pilot was required to report for duty at 12.10 am, meaning preparations for the flight had to begin before 10 pm, he reportedly said.
The pilot said getting adequate sleep before that duty period was difficult.
After the flight to Phuket, completing post-flight duties and travelling to the hotel generally took between 1.5 and two hours, according to his statement.
This, he said, further reduced the time available for daytime rest and often left him with less time than he believed was necessary for proper recovery.
For the return flight, the pilot said he had to wake up at 3 am IST.
The pilot had tested positive for marijuana in two drug tests. The second test was a confirmatory test.
Air India Co-Pilot Was In Command During Altitude Drop
The incident occurred on August 4 when Air India flight AI 2379, an Airbus A320 registered as VT-EXO, was flying from Phuket to Delhi.
According to the AAIB, the aircraft experienced a sudden altitude variation of around 300 feet while cruising.
The aircraft subsequently stabilised and landed safely in Delhi.
The incident report accessed by NDTV indicates that the pilot-in-command was not in his seat at the time of the sudden altitude change, with the co-pilot in command of the aircraft.
The report, citing sources, reported that the pilot subsequently went to the cabin to check on injuries and allegedly told passengers not to film him or the aircraft.
Upon arrival in Delhi, he was reportedly unsteady on his feet and had to be helped to sit down.
The report also said an investigating officer physically assisted him while he submitted his urine sample.
Reported Party During Phuket Layover
The report also mentioned details about an incident involving the crew during the Phuket layover.
According to sources cited by the report, while travelling from Delhi to Phuket, the pilot had gone to the washroom and, as per protocol, asked a cabin attendant to occupy his seat temporarily.
The attendant was allegedly not proficient in handling the operation and was reprimanded by the pilot.
The report said the pilot later wanted to make amends and took the crew members to a party in Phuket before the return flight.
Both pilots were taken off the roster pending an inquiry.
AAIB Says Investigation Still Underway
The AAIB said on Tuesday that it is systematically collecting, preserving and examining all relevant technical, operational, medical and human-factor evidence connected to the incident.
According to the agency, the investigation includes examination of the aircraft and its systems, recorded flight data, operational and maintenance records, medical information and interviews with people concerned.
The AAIB said all material evidence would be examined in its entirety before conclusions are drawn.
Officials from France’s Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses (BEA) and technical representatives from Airbus are assisting the investigation.
The agency said it would issue preliminary findings within the stipulated timeframe under applicable provisions and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) protocols.
The AAIB also stressed that the sole objective of the investigation is to determine the circumstances and contributing factors relating to the occurrence and identify appropriate safety measures to prevent a recurrence.
Importantly, the probe agency said the investigation is independent, evidence-based and comprehensive, and that “no inference regarding the cause of the occurrence should be drawn from any isolated piece of information” while the investigation is ongoing.
The AAIB has also appealed to the media and the public to respect the investigation process and refrain from drawing conclusions based on incomplete, unverified or selectively available information.
ALSO READ | Seat Swap, Phuket Party, Then 300-Ft Altitude Drop: Air India Pilot’s Last 24 Hours
About the Author
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
August 12, 2026, 3:41 PM IST
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