Air India
Air India pilot 'fails' dope test after turbulence-hit Phuket-Delhi flight: Report
The pilot who recently operated the turbulence-hit Air India flight from Phuket to New Delhi has reportedly tested positive for psychoactive substances during a post-flight screening, media reports said.
The development has not been confirmed as final, as a confirmatory test is currently underway. Air India has so far neither confirmed nor denied the reports.
According to sources cited by NDTV, the pilot-in-command (PIC) tested positive for psychoactive substances during post-flight screening in Delhi. A second sample has been sent for confirmatory testing, with the result awaited.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said the flight experienced a sudden loss of altitude of approximately 300 feet while cruising before stabilising and landing safely in Delhi.
“As part of the Standard Operating Procedures following such an occurrence, both flight crew members underwent the prescribed psychoactive substance screening test. The screening test in respect of the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) indicated a result requiring confirmatory testing,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said the samples had subsequently been sent to a designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis and that the final report was awaited.
The incident has been classified as a Serious Incident and is being investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the ministry said.
Pending the completion of the investigation and prescribed procedures, both flight crew members have been taken off the roster by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
“Further action, as appropriate, will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation and confirmatory test results,” the ministry said.
The incident reportedly left several passengers and crew members injured.
The aircraft was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, along with eight crew members comprising two pilots and six cabin crew members.
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