Air India is putting its finest under a hard scanner
Air India is expanding its pilot testing program to cover all aircraft operators, surpassing regulatory mandates, amid heightened scrutiny following a recent flight incident. The airline disclosed the initiative through a clarification tweet on Tuesday, emphasizing its dedication to safety and professionalism. The investigation into the incident, which occurred on August 4 when Air India flight AI2379 experienced a sudden altitude loss of approximately 300 feet, is ongoing.
The Airbus A320 encountered a temporary loss of hydraulic control across all three independent hydraulic systems, impacting critical flight controls for several seconds. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, assisted by Airbus, is probing the matter. Passengers and crew sustained injuries when the aircraft's nose sharply pitched upwards without pilot intervention, prompting the autopilot to disengage.
Subsequent confirmatory drug tests revealed two more Air India pilots tested positive for psychoactive substances, leading to their removal from flying duties pending final reports. Nearly 400 pilots have undergone mandatory testing so far, with a larger pool of over 5,000 pilots subject to the expanded screening program.
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