Two more Air India pilots fail drug test after Phuket-Delhi flight incident

Two more Air India pilots tested 'non-negative', failing the preliminary drug test ordered by the Tata-owned carrier following the incident on the Phuket-Delhi flight that left several passengers injured, sources told PTI on Monday.

The samples of both the pilots have been sent for final confirmatory test.

Air India introduced mandatory screening for for psychoactive substances for its pilots, tightening its internal safety checks beyond the random testing requirements prescribed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), after the captain of the Phuket-Delhi Air India flight that rapidly lost around 300 feet of altitude last week, injuring 17 passengers, was tested positive for marijuana in the final confirmatory test.


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The pilot-in-command of the Phuket-Delhi flight had reportedly told investigators that he had been prescribed sleeping pills because of personal problems and claimed the medication resulted in his positive dope tests. His conduct onboard is under examination after cabin crew reportedly complained about his behaviour.

Report said that over 400 Air India pilots have gone through the test process so far and results of the final drug test usually take 24-48 hours to come.

There was no official comment from Air India.

The new internal measure would require pilots to undergo testing as part of the airline’s enhanced safety protocols.

The flight turbluence incident has prompted the Centre to ask Air India to strengthen its operational oversight and “take responsibility” for ensuring safety.

The aviation ministry has asked the aviation regulator to revise the existing testing framework, increase the proportion of personnel subjected to mandatory dope tests and impose tougher penalties on those who test positive for recreational or prohibited drugs.