Software glitch or human error? Key questions in Air India Delhi-Phuket flight incident
Air India has terminated the pilot-in-command of a flight to Delhi after he tested positive for psychoactive substances following an incident that caused injuries to passengers. An investigation is ongoing to determine if the severe hydraulic failure was caused by a software glitch or human error.
Why it matters
The incident raises critical questions about aviation safety protocols and the enforcement of substance abuse policies for flight crews.
NEW DELHI: Air India Friday sacked the pilot-in-command of its badly rattled Aug 4 Phuket-Delhi flight hours after Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's preliminary report concluded the "PIC was found non-negative for psycho-active substance in the confirmatory (dope) test". Terming this confirmation a "serious concern", AAIB has asked Directorate General of Civil Aviation to "take appropriate actions as deemed fit to prevent abuse of psychoactive substance" on "priority" in its interim safety recommendations and conclusion. Aviation secretary Samir Sinha had soon after this accident asked DGCA chief Vir Vikram Yadav to make dope rules more stringent.AI was considering action, including termination, against the PIC for some weeks now but was awaiting AAIB's prelim report into what has now been categorised as an "accident" due to its severity and impact. An AI spokesperson said: "Safety remains AI's highest priority.
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