How are pilots tested for drugs and what happens when there’s a positive result?

When a pilot's preliminary drug screening came back "non-negative" from the Air India flight that experienced a sudden altitude loss, the samples were sent for confirmatory testing. This additional testing is necessary because certain foods and medications can produce false positives in the initial screening. In this particular case, the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight, which had 17 passengers and crew members injured, the non-negative result initially suggested the pilot had used a psychoactive substance.

However, it was later revealed that the aircraft's hydraulic and control systems had issues before the incident, which will also be investigated. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) emphasizes that the global spread of drug abuse and the increasing availability of psychoactive substances pose a serious concern to aviation safety.

To prevent safety risks, the DGCA has strict protocols for testing flight crew members for psychoactive substances. If a pilot tests positive for a banned substance, they can face mandatory rehabilitation for the first offense or even have their license canceled for repeated instances of use. The testing protocol involves splitting the urine sample into two containers, with one undergoing a rapid screening test and the other sent for confirmatory testing at a designated laboratory.

If the confirmatory test is positive, the medical in-charge must work with a medical review officer to determine if the positive result was due to legitimate medical treatment or not drug abuse. Pilots are advised not to self-medicate, as common cold and sleep-aid medications may contain ingredients on the testing list.