Days after an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi was hit by severe turbulence, leaving at least 17 people injured, the pilot who was in command of the aircraft has tested positive for a psychoactive substance in a post-arrival dope test, sources familiar with the matter told Times Now.

The flight, which operated on Tuesday, experienced turbulence for around four to five minutes, during which the aircraft suddenly lost about 300 feet in altitude. According to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, at least 17 people, including four cabin crew members, suffered injuries in the incident. Some crew members suffered spinal and neck injuries.

Sources told Times Now that the captain of the Phuket-Delhi flight tested positive for a psychoactive substance in a dope test conducted after the aircraft arrived in Delhi.

However, the result is not the final word on the matter. Another test has also been conducted, and its results are yet to be released.

An Air India spokesperson said the airline is aware that a post-flight screening test was conducted on the pilots in accordance with applicable protocols. However, the results of the test have not been shared with the airline.

“We are aware that a post-flight screening test was conducted on the pilots in accordance with applicable protocols. However, the results of the test have not been shared with Air India, and we are therefore not in a position to comment on any findings,” the spokesperson said.

The airline added that it regularly conducts drug testing of crew members as required under civil aviation regulations and that these tests are conducted independently of any specific flight or operational incident.

“Air India undertakes regular drug testing of crew members in compliance with civil aviation regulations, independent of any specific flight or operational incident. We will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities as required,” the spokesperson said.

The positive result cited by sources relates to the post-arrival screening conducted after the Phuket-Delhi flight landed in Delhi. The result of the other test is still awaited.

Air India has not independently confirmed the positive test result and has said it cannot comment on the findings until the results are shared with the airline.

Further action will depend on the outcome of the pending test and the findings of the relevant authorities. Moreover, DGCA is investigating the matter and probing all factors that could have led to the incident.