A senior Air India pilot has been removed from flying duties and grounded after reportedly struggling to walk following a Phuket-Delhi flight and subsequently failing two mandatory drug tests for marijuana. The incident, which led to the pilot's immediate grounding in August 2024, has drawn attention to aviation safety protocols and the airline's stance on psychoactive substance use among its crew members.

The pilot's impaired mobility was noted after landing the aircraft, prompting further medical assessment and the initiation of drug tests. Air India officially confirmed that the pilot was found "not in full control" and emphasized its strict adherence to safety regulations. This development underscores the critical importance of pilot fitness and the robust drug testing mechanisms implemented within the Indian aviation sector to maintain operational safety standards.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) medical assessment team subsequently declared the pilot temporarily unfit to fly. The pilot initially failed a random drug screening conducted in August 2024, which was then followed by a mandatory confirmatory test. Both tests yielded positive results for marijuana, leading to the pilot's indefinite grounding.

This incident marks the second reported instance of an Air India pilot failing a mandatory drug test since the DGCA introduced comprehensive random drug testing for all pilots and air traffic controllers (ATCs) in January 2022. The directive was established to enhance aviation safety by detecting and deterring the use of psychoactive substances among critical personnel responsible for flight operations and air traffic management.

Supporting details regarding the DGCA's mandate and consequences include:

  • Mandatory Testing Scope: The DGCA's random drug testing program covers all flight crew members and air traffic controllers across Indian airlines and air navigation service providers.
  • Substance Detected: The pilot tested positive for marijuana, categorized as a psychoactive substance.
  • Regulatory Action: Following the positive tests, the pilot has been declared temporarily unfit by the DGCA and will be referred for a mandatory de-addiction and rehabilitation program.
  • Air India Policy: The airline stated it maintains a "zero-tolerance policy" toward psychoactive substances to ensure the highest levels of passenger and crew safety.
  • Industry-Wide Impact: Since the implementation of the DGCA's testing mandate in early 2022, over 20 pilots and ATCs nationwide have reportedly tested positive for psychoactive substances.

Under DGCA regulations, a first-time positive drug test results in temporary removal from duty and a mandatory referral to a de-addiction center. The individual can only return to flying duties after receiving clearance from a DGCA-approved medical assessor, which confirms full rehabilitation and fitness to operate an aircraft. Repeat offenses carry significantly stricter penalties, including license suspension for three years for a second positive test and outright license cancellation for a third positive test. The pilot involved in this incident will undergo the prescribed rehabilitation process, with their potential return to duty contingent upon medical clearance and strict adherence to all regulatory requirements.