New Delhi. Air India has fired its pilot who was flying Phuket-Delhi flight AI 2379 while drunk on August 4. According to Air India spokesperson, psychoactive substance has been found in the dope test of the pilot-in-command of Phuket-Delhi flight. As per Air India's zero-tolerance policy on violations of safety, fitness and regulations, the pilot has been dismissed with immediate effect. This action against the pilot has been taken after the preliminary investigation report of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
According to the preliminary report by AAIB, the pilot-in-command of Phuket-Delhi flight AI 2379 tested non-negative for psychoactive substances in a confirmatory test. The AAIB considered this a matter of serious concern and had recommended action against the pilot to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). According to the AAIB, on August 4, when the Airbus A320 was at an altitude of 36,000 feet, all three of its hydraulic systems stopped working almost simultaneously. Due to this the autopilot mode got disconnected and a stall warning was given for some time. At the same time the flight had descended approximately 300 feet, in that incident 24 people on board the flight were injured.
Earlier it was reported about this incident that the plane was stuck in turbulence but later when it was investigated, something else came to light. Dope test of both the pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft was conducted in which the pilot's test came positive. However, the co-pilot's test report was negative. There were 134 people on board that plane. Taking this matter seriously, the Civil Aviation Ministry had also summoned the outgoing CEO of Air India, Campbell Wilson. After this incident, Air India has made dope test mandatory for all its pilots.
