Bhubaneswar, Aug. 11 -- The pilot-in-command of an Air India flight that suffered a sudden loss of altitude during a Phuket-Delhi journey has tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory laboratory test, sources said on Tuesday. The development comes days after the August 4 incident left passengers and crew members injured and triggered an investigation into the flight.

The pilot-in-command and co-pilot underwent mandatory psychoactive substance screening following the incident. While the initial test of the pilot-in-command required further confirmation, his sample was subsequently sent to a designated laboratory. The confirmatory test has now returned positive for marijuana, sources said.

Both pilots have already been removed from...