New Delhi, Aug. 13 -- The pilot of the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight which experienced a sudden 300-foot altitude drop over Odisha, resulting in injuries to passengers and crew members, has reportedly told investigators he had been struggling with sleep. According to a Hindustan Times report, the pilot admitted to having been on medication prescribed by his family doctor due to sleep difficulty.

According to the report, the pilot said he had been unable to sleep during his layover in Phuket. He had experienced sleep difficulty for some time because of personal circumstances.

He also told the investigator that he slept for 30 to 35 minutes during the flight, used the washroom and returned to stand behind the first officer. The report add...