Two more Air India pilots fail preliminary drug test days after Phuket-Delhi fiasco
PTC News Desk: Two more Air India pilots have failed to clear preliminary test in the initial mandatory psychoactive substance screening. Their samples have now been sent for confirmatory testing, and the final results are awaited.
The development comes days after pilot of the turbulence-hit Phuket-Delhi Air India flight was tested positive for marijuana, prompting Tata-owned airlines to introduce mandatory psychoactive substance testing for all its pilots.
According to the sources, 300-400 pilots have undergone the screening so far, and the testing process is continuing. So far, two pilots have been flagged during the initial screening, sources said. Their samples are now being further analysed to determine whether they had consumed any psychoactive substance.
Phuket-Delhi Air India flight fiasco
The expanded testing comes after an incident involving Air India flight AI2379 on August 4. The Airbus A320 was flying from Phuket to Delhi when it suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude during the cruise phase. The aircraft later stabilised and landed safely in Delhi, but several passengers and crew members were injured.
Both pilots underwent mandatory psychoactive substance screening after the incident. While the co-pilot's test did not raise any concerns, the pilot-in-command's initial screening result required further investigation. Both pilots were removed from flying duties while the tests and investigation continued.
According to sources, the pilot-in-command later tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory test. This led to increased scrutiny of substance testing among flight crew and prompted Air India to expand the screening process across its group.
However, the drug test is only one part of the wider investigation into what caused the sudden loss of altitude on flight AI2379.
- With inputs from agencies
