Now Reading: Phuket-Delhi pilot fails dope test after severe turbulence
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Phuket-Delhi pilot fails dope test after severe turbulence
The captain of Air India’s turbulence-hit Phuket-Delhi flight has tested positive for a psychoactive substance in a post-arrival dope test, sources told Times Now and India Today. The Airbus A320 with 145…
The Story in Brief
The captain of Air India’s turbulence-hit Phuket-Delhi flight has tested positive for a psychoactive substance in a post-arrival dope test, sources told Times Now and India Today. The Airbus A320 with 145 people on board encountered severe turbulence near Odisha on Tuesday and suddenly dropped 300 feet. On landing in Delhi, 13 passengers and four crew members were hospitalised, some with spinal and neck injuries.
Air India says it has not received the test results and cannot comment. A second confirmatory test has been conducted and its result is awaited. The DGCA is investigating whether the turbulence was handled correctly and whether the flight should have diverted. Both pilots have been taken off flying duty as per protocol.
The Indian Opinion
Before jumping to conclusions about the captain’s fitness, remember that the second confirmatory test result is still awaited. The DGCA must also answer squarely whether the aircraft should have diverted after the 300-foot drop instead of continuing to Delhi. The real test is transparency: will the regulator release both test results and the final investigation report without delay?
Sources (3): timesofindia.indiatimes.com, indiatoday.in, timesnownews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
