Now Reading: Air India orders dope tests for all pilots after captain positive
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Air India orders dope tests for all pilots after captain positive
Air India has ordered mandatory drug screening for all its pilots after a captain on its Phuket-Delhi flight tested positive for marijuana. The August 4 flight, AI-2379, experienced a sudden altitude drop…
The Story in Brief
Air India has ordered mandatory drug screening for all its pilots after a captain on its Phuket-Delhi flight tested positive for marijuana. The August 4 flight, AI-2379, experienced a sudden altitude drop of roughly 300 feet over Odisha, injuring 20 passengers and four crew members. The airline began the tests on Thursday, covering all group pilots, beyond the existing Directorate General of Civil Aviation requirements. Both pilots were removed from flying duties after the incident. The Civil Aviation Ministry is reviewing global drug-testing practices and may tighten rules. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is probing the altitude drop with help from Airbus and France's BEA.
The Indian Opinion
One captain's failed test is blamed; the story that needs scrutiny is whether the system caught a problem or missed it until an altitude drop injured 24 people. The airline's move covers all pilots, but swab tests and Montreal Convention talks suggest a wider push for accountability. Watch how many pilots turn out positive and whether the DGCA upgrades random testing, not just incident-based checks.
Sources (3): ndtv.com, news.abplive.com, timesnownews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
