3 weeks ago
Air India pilots grounded after psychoactive substance test flagged
A big airplane was flying from Phuket in Thailand to Delhi in India.
While it was very high in the sky, the plane suddenly dropped by about as much as a tall building — roughly 300 feet.
The plane soon got back to normal and landed safely in Delhi.
A few people on the plane had small bumps and bruises.
After something like this happens, the pilots must take a special test to check if they used drugs or other substances.
The main pilot's first test was not clear, so it was sent to another lab for a closer look.
While they wait for the final answer, both pilots are not allowed to fly.
Special investigators are now looking carefully into what happened to the plane.
The airline says it has not seen the test results yet, so it cannot say anything about them.
Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi suddenly lost about 300 feet of altitude during cruise on August 4 before stabilizing and landing safely in Delhi.
The pilot-in-command's initial psychoactive substance screening indicated a result requiring confirmatory testing, with samples sent to a designated laboratory and the final report awaited.
The Airbus A320 (VT-EXO) was carrying 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members; reports differ on injuries, with one saying 13 passengers and 4 crew members were hurt and another saying a few passengers and cabin crew were injured.
The incident has been classified as a serious incident and is being investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with the probe transferred from the DGCA.
The DGCA has taken both flight crew members off the roster pending the investigation, while Air India said the test results have not been shared with it and it cannot comment on any findings.
- Who
- Air India flight crew, including the pilot-in-command whose psychoactive substance screening was flagged for confirmatory analysis, plus 137 passengers and 8 crew members aboard flight AI2379; the Civil Aviation Ministry, DGCA, and AAIB are handling the investigation.
- What
- Flight AI2379 lost approximately 300 feet of altitude during cruise on August 4, and the pilot-in-command's psychoactive substance screening was flagged for confirmatory testing, with both pilots taken off the roster.
- Where
- On the Phuket-Delhi route; the aircraft landed safely in Delhi.
- When
- The flight operated on August 4; the Civil Aviation Ministry released statements on Sunday and Tuesday.
- Why
- The sudden altitude loss triggered mandatory post-incident psychoactive substance screening of the flight crew, and the flagged result prompted confirmatory testing and a serious-incident investigation.
Key facts
- Airline
- Air India
- Flight Number
- AI2379
- Aircraft
- Airbus A320 (VT-EXO)
- Route
- Phuket to Delhi
- Passengers and Crew
- 137 passengers (including 3 infants) and 8 crew members (2 pilots, 6 cabin crew)
- Altitude Loss
- Approximately 300 feet during cruise
- Injuries Reported
- 13 passengers and 4 crew members injured according to one report; the ministry said 'a few' passengers and cabin crew members were injured
- Status
- Classified as a serious incident; under investigation by AAIB
Quotes
Directorate General of Civil Aviation
Regulatory authority responsible for flight crew licensing
“Air India undertakes regular drug testing of crew members in compliance with civil aviation regulations, independent of any specific flight or operational incident.”
telegraphindia.com
“"However, the results of the test have not been shared with Air India, and we are, therefore, not in a position to comment on any findings,"”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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