AAIB probe into Air India Phuket-Delhi flight incident underway; DGCA reviews pilot testing norms

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau AAIB is currently investigating the incident involving an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi that suffered a sudden altitude drop over Odisha Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said on Thursday reported the ANIThe minister said the AAIB is expected to release its preliminary report shortly following which the government will decide on further actionSpeaking to reporters Kinjarapu stressed that the investigation must be based on thoroughly verified facts and that the findings would not be rushed the news agency reportedHe said the authorities have full confidence in the AAIB and would await the preliminary report before drawing conclusions or deciding on additional measuresDGCA considering random testing of all pilotsAccording to the ANI the minister also revealed that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA is reviewing a proposal to introduce random testing for pilots throughout the yearUnder the proposal currently being discussed with airlines and other stakeholders pilots could be subjected to testing at random points during the year rather than within a limited testing windowKinjarapu said the government would consider strengthening safety protocols once consultations with stakeholders are complete while also taking operational requirements into accountProposal to expand pilot testing from 10 per cent to 100 per centExplaining the proposed changes the minister said pilot testing was previously mandatory for only 10 per cent of pilotsThe government is now discussing with airlines the possibility of extending testing coverage to 100 per cent of pilots with tests conducted randomly throughout the yearHe said the objective is to determine how the system can be strengthened while maintaining a balance between aviation safety and operational requirementsThe minister added that flying checks are already conducted in line with international norms but authorities are examining whether monitoring mechanisms can be made more stringentAir India flight suffered 300foot altitude dropThe developments follow an incident involving Air India flight A12379 which was operating from Phuket to Delhi on August 4The Airbus A320 registered as VTEXO reportedly experienced a sudden 300foot drop in altitude while flying over OdishaTwenty passengers and four cabin crew members were injured in the incident The aircraft subsequently stabilised and continued its journey before landing safely in DelhiThe flight was carrying 137 passengers including three infants along with eight crew members mdash two pilots and six cabin crewMinister says safety measures will follow investigationKinjarapu said any additional safety measures would be considered after the AAIBs findings and the ongoing DGCA consultationsHe reiterated that the government would take steps to strengthen aviation safety wherever necessary while ensuring that decisions are supported by verified evidenceThe minister also addressed the operational and financial challenges facing Indian airlines including SpiceJetHe said the Civil Aviation Ministry holds monthly discussions with airlines to assess difficulties and challenges affecting their operations reported the ANIAccording to Kinjarapu SpiceJet has also been engaged in these discussions with the government encouraging the airline to strengthen its operations particularly its financial positionThe airline he said has assured the ministry that it would take steps to address the issues soonwith ANI inputs