3 weeks ago
Air India Pilot Not Drug-Tested Before Flight; Rules Explained
An airplane called Air India flight AI2379 was flying from Phuket to Delhi when it suddenly dropped about 300 feet in the sky.
The plane was okay and landed safely, but 20 people got hurt.
After the plane landed, the main pilot took a drug test.
The test reportedly showed that he had used something called cannabis, a drug that can make it hard to think clearly.
Some people asked why the pilot wasn't tested for drugs before the flight.
The rules in India only require a test for alcohol before every flight, not a test for other drugs.
So pilots are usually drug-tested after flights, during duty, or randomly, unless something happens.
The pilot says he did nothing wrong.
The government has now asked the aviation rule-makers to look at whether the drug test rules should be changed.
Air India flight AI2379 lost about 300 feet of altitude during its Phuket-Delhi flight on August 4, injuring 20 people.
The pilot-in-command was not tested for psychoactive substances before the flight because DGCA rules do not require pre-flight drug testing.
Post-flight screening and a confirmatory test reportedly detected cannabis/marijuana, and the pilot was taken off flying duties.
DGCA rules rely on random testing, testing in specified circumstances, and post-flight or during-duty testing, with at least 10 per cent of employees covered annually.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has asked the DGCA to review the psychoactive-substance testing framework for pilots.
- Who
- The pilot-in-command of Air India flight AI2379, who denies wrongdoing; the co-pilot was in command when the aircraft lost altitude.
- What
- The aircraft suddenly lost about 300 feet of altitude, and the pilot's post-flight drug screening and confirmatory test reportedly detected cannabis, raising questions about DGCA's lack of mandatory pre-flight drug testing.
- Where
- Over Odisha, India, during cruise; the aircraft landed safely in Delhi.
- When
- August 4, during the Phuket-Delhi flight.
- Why
- DGCA regulations do not require pre-flight psychoactive-substance testing for pilots, instead relying on random, incident-triggered, and post-flight testing; the ministry has ordered a review of the framework.
Critics and Cabin Crew
Pilot and Current Regulatory Position
Pre-flight drug testing requirement
Critics and Cabin Crew
A mandatory pre-flight drug test should exist because a pilot with reportedly detected cannabis in his system operated a flight; current rules only mandate post-flight, random, or incident-triggered testing, leaving a regulatory gap.
Pilot and Current Regulatory Position
The existing norms broadly follow international standards, and the DGCA's regulation explicitly states pre-flight testing requirements will be introduced "in due course" rather than immediately.
Pilot's alleged cannabis use
Critics and Cabin Crew
A cabin crew member filed a complaint alleging the pilot smoked cannabis, and the pilot was reportedly seen on CCTV unable to stand and needing help to a seat.
Pilot and Current Regulatory Position
The pilot has denied any wrongdoing.
Key facts
- Flight
- Air India AI2379
- Aircraft
- Airbus A320 (VT-EXO)
- Route
- Phuket to Delhi
- Incident date
- August 4
- Altitude loss
- About 300 feet
- Injuries
- 20 people, including passengers and cabin crew
- Pilot test
- Confirmatory test reportedly positive for cannabis/marijuana
- Status
- "Serious Incident" under investigation by the AAIB
Sources
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