AAIB flags Air India pilot’s positive psychoactive substance test after Phuket flight altitude scare
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) reported that an Air India pilot tested positive for psychoactive substances following an incident where a flight experienced a sudden altitude loss. The report also noted a temporary failure of all three hydraulic systems during the event.
Why it matters
The findings raise serious safety concerns regarding pilot health and aviation oversight, potentially leading to stricter regulatory enforcement by the DGCA.
Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in its preliminary report on the August 4 Air India Delhi-Phuket flight incident, said the pilot-in-command (PIC) tested non-negative for a psychoactive substance. The AAIB flagged it as a “serious concern” and recommended that the DGCA take appropriate action on priority. On August 4, 24 passengers were injured after a momentary loss of altitude.
“Detailed investigation regarding technical and other aspects are underway. In this case, it has been observed that the PIC [pilot-in-command] was found non-negative for psychoactive substances in the confirmatory test. The confirmation of use of psychoactive substance is a serious concern, and AAIB recommends appropriate actions by DGCA on priority,” the aircraft accident probing body has concluded in its interim report.
The final report could take upto a year or more.
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