Turbulence-hit AI flight pilot's dope test 'not negative, sent for confirmatory test'
On August 4, Air India Flight AI 2379 experienced a sudden loss of altitude during its cruise at about 300 feet. Following the incident, the aircraft landed safely in Delhi, with 13 passengers and four crew members, including the pilots, being hospitalized. Both pilots underwent psychoactive substance screening tests upon arrival, with the pilot-in-command's test not yielding a negative result.
The Aviation Ministry has classified the incident as serious and has initiated an investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. The Ministry has stated that further action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation and confirmatory test results. According to DGCA rules, a positive screening test automatically requires a confirmatory test, and in the case of a positive confirmatory test, the employee must be referred for de-addiction.
If a pilot tests positive again after returning to flying duties, their license will be suspended for three years, and a third positive test will result in the cancellation of their flying license.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
