India, Aug. 11 -- 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.

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 ...