Air India Phuket-Delhi pilot's sample sent for confirmatory analysis after dope test

The DGCA has confirmed that an Air India pilot's post-flight psychoactive substance screening requires confirmatory testing after a turbulence-hit Phuket-Delhi flight. The incident has been classified as a serious incident, with an AAIB probe ordered and both pilots taken off the roster.

In Short

• Incident classified as a 'Serious Incident' and is under investigation
• Seventeen people including four cabin crew injured
• Both the flight crew members have been de-rostered

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said both pilots underwent mandatory psychoactive substance screening following the incident, but the Pilot-in-Command's (PIC) test returned a result that requires further confirmation. The sample has now been sent to a designated laboratory, with the final report awaited.

The development comes days after Air India flight AI2379, operating from Phuket to Delhi, suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude during cruise on August 4. The Airbus A320 aircraft, registered as VT-EXO, later stabilised and landed safely in Delhi.

The flight was carrying 137 passengers. Several passengers and crew members were injured during the incident.

The occurrence has now been classified as a “Serious Incident” and will be investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the DGCA said.

BOTH PILOTS TAKEN OFF ROSTER

Pending the confirmatory test and completion of the investigation, the DGCA has taken both flight crew members off the roster.

The regulator said further action would be taken based on the outcome of the AAIB investigation and the confirmatory test.

The DGCA's statement comes after sources had earlier told India Today that one of the pilots had undergone additional testing following the mandatory post-flight screening. Both pilots had been taken off flying duties pending the outcome of the tests and investigation.

AI2379 LOST 300 FEET OF ALTITUDE DURING CRUISE

Air India flight AI2379, operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft with registration VT-EXO, was flying from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when it experienced a sudden loss of approximately 300 feet in altitude during cruise.

The aircraft subsequently stabilised and landed safely in Delhi.

The flight was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members - two pilots and six cabin crew.

Several passengers and crew members were injured during the occurrence. The incident left at least 17 people injured, including four cabin crew members, according to the information provided.

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu had earlier said the turbulence lasted around five minutes, with some crew members suffering spinal and neck injuries requiring medical attention.

PIC’S TEST REQUIRES CONFIRMATION

Following the occurrence, both pilots underwent the prescribed psychoactive substance screening as part of standard operating procedure.

“The screening test in respect of the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) indicated a result requiring confirmatory testing,” the DGCA said.

The PIC’s sample has consequently been sent to a designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis. The final report is awaited.

The wording means the initial screening has produced a result that requires further testing; it does not by itself establish that the pilot tested positive for drug use.

Pending completion of the confirmatory test and the AAIB investigation, the DGCA has taken both flight crew members off the roster.

Further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation and the confirmatory test results, the regulator said.

AIR INDIA SAYS IT CONDUCTS REGULAR DRUG TESTS

Air India had earlier confirmed that post-flight psychoactive substance screening had been conducted on the pilots, but said it had not received the results from the authorities.

“We are aware that a post-flight screening test was conducted on the pilots in accordance with applicable protocols. However, the results of the test have not been shared with Air India, and we are therefore not in a position to comment on any findings,” an airline spokesperson said.

The airline also said it conducts regular drug testing of crew members in compliance with civil aviation regulations and would continue to cooperate with the authorities.

AAIB TO PROBE SERIOUS INCIDENT

The DGCA has classified the AI2379 occurrence as a “Serious Incident”, bringing it under investigation by the AAIB.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the DGCA said the incident would be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action would be taken in accordance with prescribed regulations and procedures.

PASSENGERS RECALL MOMENTS OF TURBULENCE

Passenger Shrikant Jha, speaking in Jaipur, claimed that passengers had raised concerns about the pilot’s behaviour even before the turbulence.

“We actually had strong suspicions about this because of the pilot’s demeanour and appearance,” Jha said, alleging that the pilot’s gait and manner of speaking appeared unusual.

Jha said passengers had lodged a complaint with Ravishankar Gaur, the head of Terminal 3, urging authorities to conduct dope and blood tests.

Another passenger, Renu Raniwala, said she became particularly worried about children on board when the aircraft began dropping.

“When the flight started dropping, I was most worried about the children,” she said.

Raniwala said her grandson was sitting next to her and that she grabbed him and fastened his seatbelt. She claimed the force of the incident caused the handle to dig into her body, injuring two of her ribs.

She also claimed that a three-year-old girl was thrown towards the back of the aircraft during the incident.

Raniwala further alleged that passengers did not receive adequate assistance after landing, saying, “There was no care shown even after we landed.”

The passengers’ allegations about the pilot’s behaviour and the response after landing have not been independently established in the DGCA statement. The regulator’s investigation and confirmatory laboratory test are pending.

- Ends
(With inputs from PTI)