10 pilots found tipsy in pre-flight checks till July 14: Government

NEW DELHI: Ten pilots were found tipsy in pre-flight checks and have been grounded in the first six months of this year, Lok Sabha was informed today.

Since 2011, a total of 99 pilots, including the 10, have been grounded for testing positive in the pre-flight medical examination for alcohol consumption, Minister of State for Civil Aviation G M Siddeshwara said in reply to a question.

While 17 of them tested positive in 2011, the number shot up to 41 in 2012, 31 in 2013 and 10 till July 14 this year, he said.

Aircraft rules prohibit consumption of liquor or any intoxicating material and allow checks to be carried out on pilots, navigators, engineers and cabin crew ahead of a flight.