Air India, Air India Express to test all pilots for psychoactive substances
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Air India and Air India Express will begin mandatory psychoactive substance testing for all their pilots from Thursday, sources told PTI, following the August 4 Phuket-Delhi flight incident in which the pilot-in-command tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory test.
The move is part of tighter internal safety protocols being implemented by the airlines following the incident.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Air India flight AI 2379, operated by an Airbus A320, experienced a sudden loss of altitude of around 300 feet while flying from Phuket to Delhi on August 4. The aircraft subsequently stabilised and landed safely in Delhi.
The aircraft, registered as VT-EXO, was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members. The ministry said 20 passengers and four cabin crew members reported injuries.
As part of standard operating procedures following the incident, both flight crew members underwent prescribed psychoactive substance screening. The screening of the pilot-in-command indicated a result that required confirmatory testing.
The ministry's statement followed Air India's earlier response to reports that the pilot may have failed a post-flight dope test. The airline had confirmed that post-flight screening of the pilots was conducted in accordance with applicable protocols, but said the results had not been shared with it.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has classified the occurrence as a Serious Incident, with the matter being investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
The AAIB took up the investigation based on information received from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the nature of the occurrence. Notifications have also been sent to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and concerned states.
France's Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses (BEA), along with technical representatives from aircraft manufacturer Airbus, is providing technical assistance to the AAIB, including technical information and design documentation.
Pending completion of the investigation and the prescribed testing process, the DGCA has taken both flight crew members off the roster, the ministry said.