The results came after the pilot’s first screening test done on arrival gave a “non negative” report and then as per procedure, the authorities conducted a confirmatory test whose report came Tuesday.
Also read: Air India flight’s 300-foot drop: AAIB says wait for evidence before drawing conclusions
Sources quoted by TOI said that the ‘pilot has tested positive for marijuana, which is commonly known as weed’. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is now working for more strict dope test requirements to act as an effective deterrent.
The report comes soon after India’s aviation secretary Samir Sinha called Air India’s outgoing CEO Campbell Wilson for a meeting where officials of the DGCA and AAIB were also present. The officials asked the Tata Group-owned airline to ensure safety of operations from all aspects and asked what steps is the airline taking to the effect.
Earlier on Sunday, the aviation ministry stated that the pilots of Air India’s Phuket-Delhi flight, which had experienced a sudden loss of altitude of about 300 feet during cruise, were subjected to psychoactive substance (dope) screening test on arrival at the destination. The captain’s screening test report was “not negative” and was then sent for confirmatory tests.
According to TOI, DGCA rules stipulate that “in case the screening test (for psychoactive substances) 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 government is closely monitoring the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight incident and will await the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) findings before deciding on further action, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reports, Naidu said the ministry had held a preliminary meeting with Wilson to understand how the airline had handled the incident and examine whether there were any gaps in safety protocols, including those relating to pilot substance use.
Also read: Air India outgoing CEO summoned over Phuket-Delhi flight’s altitude loss: Report
The minister asserted that aviation safety remains the government’s highest priority and that there can be no compromise by airlines, regulators or other stakeholders. He added that the ministry has sought updates from the DGCA on regulations concerning substance use by pilots and would consider changes if existing rules are found to be inadequate.
The AAIB has initiated an investigation into the August 4 incident involving Air India flight AI2379, an Airbus A320neo operating from Phuket to New Delhi. The aircraft, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, experienced severe turbulence due to altitude loss while cruising over Odisha. It later stabilised and landed safely in Delhi.
Twenty passengers and four cabin crew members were injured in the incident. The aircraft, registered as VT-EXO, was carrying three infants among its passengers.
The AAIB said it is examining technical, operational, medical and human-factor evidence as part of the investigation. This includes the aircraft and its systems, recorded flight data, maintenance and operational records, medical information and interviews with people connected to the occurrence.
France’s Bureau of Enquiries and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA), along with technical representatives from Airbus, is providing technical assistance to the AAIB as part of the international investigation framework under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The AAIB urged media and the public to avoid drawing conclusions from isolated or unverified information while the investigation is underway. It said all relevant evidence would be assessed before reaching any conclusions and that the investigation’s objective is to establish the circumstances and contributing factors behind the incident and identify measures to prevent a recurrence.
The bureau said it will issue preliminary findings within the stipulated timeframe under applicable rules and ICAO protocols, with further information to be released at the appropriate stage.