Two more Air India pilots have failed the airline’s preliminary drug screening, with confirmatory tests now being conducted to establish whether the results were triggered by a psychoactive substance or by medication
they may be taking, sources have told CNN-News18.
The two pilots have been de-rostered as a precautionary measure and will remain off flying duties until the final test results are received, the sources added.
Around 400 Air India pilots have been tested so far as part of a mandatory screening exercise launched by the Tata-owned airline after the captain of a Phuket-Delhi flight tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory test.
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The airline had ordered comprehensive screening of its pilot workforce after the August 4 incident involving flight AI2379, which was travelling from Phuket to Delhi. The Airbus A320neo suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude during the flight, leaving 24 passengers and crew members injured.
The captain of that flight initially returned a “non-negative” result in the mandatory screening conducted after landing. A subsequent confirmatory test was reported positive for marijuana. Both pilots operating the flight were removed from flying duties pending the investigation.
The airline’s expanded testing programme goes beyond the existing regulatory requirement for random screening of at least 10 per cent of flight crew for psychoactive substances each year. Air India said the decision to screen its entire pilot workforce was intended to strengthen safety standards and reassure passengers and other stakeholders.
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The screening also covers substances and medications prohibited under prevailing aviation regulations, according to an internal airline communication reported earlier by News18.
THE PHUKET-DELHI DISASTER
The aircraft was Air India flight AI2379, an Airbus A320neo flying from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi. The flight was cruising normally when, about 90 minutes after departure, the aircraft suddenly dropped approximately 300 feet. The incident occurred over the Indian mainland, around the Odisha coast.
The sudden movement was violent enough to throw people around the cabin. Passengers and crew who were not adequately restrained were injured, including people who were reportedly thrown against the ceiling or cabin fittings.
The aircraft recovered and continued its journey to Delhi, where it landed safely.
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Air India initially described the episode in terms of a brief period of severe turbulence/sudden altitude loss. But the subsequent analysis of the aircraft’s flight data has produced a much more detailed picture.
According to Airbus’ preliminary assessment, the aircraft experienced a temporary loss of hydraulic pressure across all three hydraulic systems. The flight data indicates that the crew responded to the sudden altitude change and attempted to regain control.
According to Airbus’ preliminary analysis, the first officer made a nose-down control input, but the aircraft did not immediately respond because of the temporary flight-control problem.
Then came the worrying news of a dope test. After the incident, the pilots underwent mandatory drug screening.
The captain initially returned a non-negative result. A subsequent confirmatory laboratory test reportedly tested positive for marijuana/psychoactive substances. Both pilots were removed from flying duties while the matter was examined.
