Air India Phuket-Delhi fiasco: Pilot tests positive for drugs, probe confirms hydraulic failure
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has not identified the exact root cause of the incident in its preliminary report, which is expected at this stage.
PTC News Desk: A preliminary report into the turbulence case on Phuket-Delhi flight has confirmed that the pilot tested non-negative for psycho-active substance in the confirmatory test. Earlier the pilot was tested positive for Marijuana after his preliminary drug test returned non-negative.
“The confirmation of use of psycho-active substance is a serious concern and AAIB recommends appropriate actions by DGCA on priority,” the latest report said.
A detailed investigation in the matter is underway. The final report will be published in due course, it said.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has not identified the exact root cause of the incident in its preliminary report, which is expected at this stage. The incident injured 24 passengers and crew members.
However, the report called the pilot's drug test result a "serious concern" and recommended that the aviation regulator take "appropriate actions on priority".
The aircraft was operating as Air India flight AI 2379 with 137 passengers on board. It was flying at Flight Level 360 when the incident occurred.
The aircraft's flight-control system first detected a loss of pressure in the green hydraulic system. Within seconds, the blue and yellow hydraulic systems also showed a drop in pressure.
The autopilot then disengaged and a continuous warning sound was activated. A stall warning also appeared for about two seconds.
During the incident, the aircraft experienced a significant change in altitude. It first climbed 372 feet and then dropped 292 feet from its assigned Flight Level 360. The hydraulic systems later returned to normal, allowing the aircraft's flight-control surfaces to work properly again.
The co-pilot, who was flying the aircraft at the time, initially responded to the problem. The pilot-in-command (PIC) then took control.
24 passengers and crew injured
The incident also caused injuries inside the cabin. Since the seat-belt signs were off, passengers and cabin crew members were thrown around when the aircraft suddenly changed altitude.
One of the major findings in the preliminary report relates to the pilot-in-command's psychoactive-substance test.
Both pilots first underwent breathalyser tests, which came back negative. They were then tested for psychoactive substances. The PIC's initial test was non-negative, while the co-pilot's test was negative.
Blood samples from both pilots were then sent to a laboratory for further testing. The PIC's confirmatory blood test was also non-negative, while the co-pilot's result remained negative.
The AAIB described the confirmed finding involving the PIC as a "serious concern" and asked the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to take urgent action to address the misuse of psychoactive substances.
However, the preliminary report does not say that the pilot's test result caused or contributed to the hydraulic failure or the aircraft's sudden change in altitude.