Air India has terminated the employment of Captain Sudeep Vashistha, the Pilot-in-Command of the Phuket-Delhi flight involved in a recent incident, after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance.
According to an official statement, both tests conducted on the pilot returned positive for a banned substance. The airline said his employment was terminated with immediate effect.
Air India said the action was taken in line with its zero-tolerance approach towards violations of safety, fitness and regulatory requirements.
“The Pilot-in-Command of the Phuket-Delhi flight tested positive for a psychoactive substance. In line with Air India’s zero-tolerance approach to violation of safety, fitness or regulatory requirements, the pilot’s employment has been terminated with immediate effect,” the airline said in a statement.
On Aug. 4, an Air India Airbus A320 operating the Phuket-Delhi flight suffered a sudden loss of nearly 300 feet in altitude, leaving several passengers injured.
According to the preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, the aircraft, carrying 145 people, experienced a near-simultaneous failure of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at 36,000 feet.
The incident triggered an autopilot disconnect, followed by a brief stall warning and an altitude upset, resulting in injuries to 24 people on board.
Following the incident, the pilot underwent testing for prohibited substances, with both tests returning positive results, according to the airline.
The airline has maintained that adherence to prescribed safety protocols and regulatory standards is non-negotiable for its operating crew.
Pilots are subject to mandatory medical and fitness requirements, including checks for the use of prohibited substances.
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A positive test for a banned psychoactive substance can have serious regulatory and professional consequences for flight crew, given the potential implications for their fitness to operate an aircraft.
Airlines and aviation authorities impose strict restrictions on substance use by pilots to ensure that crew members remain fit to perform safety-critical duties.
The incident also comes at a time when aviation safety and crew fitness remain closely watched by regulators and passengers, particularly as airlines expand operations and face increased scrutiny over operational standards.
The airline said its decision reflects its established zero-tolerance approach and is aimed at maintaining the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance across its operations.
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