The Air India Phuket-Delhi flight mishap has yet another layer. According to sources, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is currently interrogating
the flight crew and the Pilot in Command. The pilot, accused of flying the plane after substance use, has reportedly clarified that it was "prescribed medication." Sources say, the Pilot told the officials, that he had not slept and told his Co-pilot that he would sleep for a while (which he claims is called controlled rest as allowed per law), while the first officer was controlling the plane. According to sources, in his statement, the Pilot in Command said, "I disclose for completeness that I had seperately been experiencing sleep difficulty over a preceding period related to personal circumstances for which I have been prescribed medication by my family doctor." According to sources, he said he slept for 30-35 minutes, got up, went to the washroom and after coming back, he claims he was standing behind first officer’s seat and was stretching his hand. He reportedly asked his co-pilot about the air conditioning system and that is when the triple hydraulic failure happened and he fell on the ground of the cockpit. Sources say the first officer was controlling the system while he was on the ground, and that is when the stall warning came. When he fell, crew came to help him to pick him up, he claims. The cabin crew had earlier reported that the Pilot indulged in misconduct on the plane, calling his behaviour "out of line," said sources. The cabin crew in the report wrote that he was not in control of himself and unable to walk. The crew claims they had to help him back to his seat and that the co-pilot was entrusted to take charge and land the aircraft. The Air India Phuket-Delhi flight turned into a terrifying ordeal for passengers last week after the aircraft reportedly experienced a sudden drop, sending panic through the cabin and leaving several passengers injured. In the aftermath, passengers continue to raise serious allegations about the pilot's condition, with one traveller claiming the pilot "wasn’t walking straight" and appeared intoxicated. Passengers further alleged that they received little assistance for hours after landing, raising fresh questions over safety and passenger care. According to Civil Aviation Ministry sources, India's aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been ordered to review the drug testing framework in place for pilots.
