Air India Phuket-Delhi flight incident: AAIB flags pilot’s ‘non-negative’ psychoactive substance test, seeks DGCA action

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau AAIB has flagged a lsquononnegativersquo test for a psychoactive substance involving the pilotincommand of an Air India PhuketDelhi flight that suffered a sudden altitude drop over Odisha on August 4In its preliminary report the AAIB described the confirmation of drug use by the pilotincommand as a serious concern and asked the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA to take appropriate actionThe agency however said its detailed investigation into the technical and other aspects of the incident is still underwayWhat happened on Air Indiarsquos PhuketDelhi flightAir India flight A12379 operating from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 reportedly experienced a sudden 300foot drop in altitude while flying over OdishaThe Airbus A320 registered as VTEXO subsequently stabilised and continued its journey before landing safely in DelhiThe aircraft was carrying 137 passengers including three infants and eight crew members two pilots and six cabin crewTwenty passengers and four cabin crew members were injured in the incidentCivil Aviation Ministry awaits detailed probeUnion Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said the AAIB was investigating the incident and that the government would decide on further action based on the findings of the preliminary reportSpeaking to reporters Kinjarapu stressed that the investigation must be based on thoroughly verified facts and that conclusions should not be rushed He said the government has full confidence in the AAIB and would await its findings before deciding on additional measuresDGCA weighs random testing for pilotsAmid the incident the DGCA is reviewing a proposal to introduce random testing for pilots throughout the year according to ANIUnder the proposal pilots could be tested at random points during the year rather than within a limited testing window The move is being discussed with airlines and other stakeholdersKinjarapu said the government would consider strengthening aviation safety protocols after consultations are completed while taking operational requirements into accountPilot testing coverage could rise from 10 pc to 100 pcThe minister said mandatory pilot testing currently covers 10 per cent of pilotsThe government is discussing with airlines the possibility of extending testing coverage to 100 per cent with tests conducted randomly throughout the yearKinjarapu said the objective is to strengthen the monitoring system while maintaining a balance between aviation safety and operational requirementsHe added that flying checks are already conducted in line with international norms but authorities are examining whether monitoring mechanisms can be made more stringentGovernment to consider further safety measuresKinjarapu said any additional safety measures would be considered after the AAIBrsquos findings and the ongoing DGCA consultationsHe reiterated that the government would take steps to strengthen aviation safety wherever necessary while ensuring that decisions are based on verified evidenceGovernment holds talks with airlines over operational challengesThe minister also addressed the operational and financial challenges facing Indian airlines including SpiceJetKinjarapu said the Civil Aviation Ministry holds monthly discussions with airlines to assess difficulties affecting their operationsAccording to the minister SpiceJet has also been part of these discussions with the government encouraging the airline to strengthen its operations particularly its financial positionHe said the airline has assured the ministry that it would take steps to address the issues soonWith PTI and ANI inputs