Air India Phuket-Delhi flight pilot tests positive in confirmatory drug test
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New Delhi: The pilot-in-command of an Air India flight that experienced a sudden loss of around 300 feet in altitude while flying from Phuket to Delhi last week has reportedly tested positive for a narcotic substance in a confirmatory drug test conducted on Tuesday.
The Air India A320, operating flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi on August 4, encountered severe turbulence during the flight, resulting in an abrupt loss of around 300 feet in altitude. The aircraft subsequently stabilised and landed safely in Delhi. Several passengers and cabin crew members were injured in the incident.
Following the incident, the pilot-in-command underwent a confirmatory drug test after an initial post-flight psychoactive substance screening returned a non-negative result, requiring further analysis, according to an NDTV Profit report.
The development comes as an investigation into the incident is underway. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had earlier removed the flight crew from the roster pending the outcome of its investigation.
However, representatives of the aviation industry have cautioned against drawing conclusions based solely on an initial non-negative drug screening result.
Captain Sam Thomas, President of the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPAI), said the pilots' body had repeatedly sensitised its members to the possibility that commonly used medicines and dietary supplements could affect the results of post-flight drug screenings.
Captain C.S. Randhawa, President of the Federation of Indian Pilots, said the airline had not officially released the doping test results and that he would not comment on reports claiming the pilot had tested positive until there was official confirmation.
"Currently, the doping test results are not out officially by the airline, so we will wait for the official confirmation. I won’t comment that the test is positive," he said.
Randhawa added that if the test is officially confirmed as positive, cancellation of the pilot's licence could be among the repercussions, along with penalties and other consequences that could affect the pilot's future.