NEW DELHI: The pilots of Air India’s Aug 4 turbulence-hit Phuket-Delhi flight were subjected to psychoactive substance (dope) screening test on arrival at the destination. The pilot-in-command or captain’s screening test report was not negative and has been sent for confirmatory tests, the aviation ministry said on Sunday. The ministry has classified the incident as a serious one which will now be probed by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). “Further action, as appropriate, will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation and confirmatory test results,” govt said.Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rules stipulate that “in case the screening test is non-negative, the employee shall be immediately removed from the safety sensitive duty till a confirmatory report is received. In case of positive confirmatory test for the first time, the concerned employee shall be referred by the organisation” for de-addiction.The aviation ministry on Sunday said: “On Aug 4, Air India A320 (VT-EXO), operating flight AI 2379 from Phuket to Delhi, experienced a sudden loss of altitude of about 300 feet during cruise, following which the aircraft stabilised and subsequently landed safely at Delhi. During the occurrence, injuries were reported to a few passengers and cabin crew members on board. The aircraft was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members comprising two pilots and six cabin crew.”“As 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. Samples have accordingly been sent to the designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis, and the final report is awaited,” it added.Pending investigation, both pilots have been taken off flying duty by the DGCA. “The aviation ministry and DGCA remain firmly committed to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety and ensuring that all such occurrences are thoroughly investigated and appropriate action is taken in accordance with the prescribed regulations and procedures,” the statement added.The Airbus A320 with 145 people on board had encountered severe turbulence near Odisha and then suddenly dropped 300 feet. On arrival in Delhi, 13 passengers and four crew members were hospitalised. People in the know say authorities are probing this case from all angles including whether the handling of this turbulence event was correct; whether the event happened due to weather or some other reason; the likely impact on the aircraft like did it suffer hydraulic failure due to impact and whether it should have flown all the way to Delhi after the episode and not diverted to some nearby airport like Varanasi or Lucknow.
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DGCA rules stipulate that a pilot testing positive for consumption of psychoactive substances for the first time be referred to for de-addiction and rehabilitation. Such crew member can return for active duties with a negative dope test report.But after resuming flying if the same person tests positive for psychoactive substances again, their licence will be suspended for three years. And if after resuming flying the same person again tests positive for the third time, the flying licence is cancelled.
