The pilot who flew the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight that faced sudden loss of altitude last week tested positive for drugs, reports confirmed on Tuesday. The pilot-in-command of an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight that faced sudden loss of altitude last week, causing injuries to 17 people, tested positive for drugs during a post-flight screening, a laboratory report confirmed on Tuesday.A staff member present with an injured passenger on a stretcher last week. (ANI Video Grab)The pilot’s preliminary drug test had returned “non-negative”, a government release said earlier. The results of a confirmatory second report that was awaited were released on Tuesday.On August 4, the Phuket-Delhi flight AI2379 experienced a sudden loss of altitude of around 300 feet during cruise, causing injuries to 13 passengers and four crew members. An initial statement from Air India had cited turbulence as the reason.Soon after the incident, the aircraft, with 137 passengers and eight crew members on board, stabilised and landed safely in Delhi. The pilots of the flight have been off-rostered pending probe. Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs.