New Delhi, Sept. 10 -- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered airlines to conduct drug tests for all pilots, with the exercise to be completed by July 2027, sources said on Thursday.
The move follows the Phuket-Delhi flight incident in which the pilot-in-command tested positive for a psychoactive substance. The Air India flight, carrying 145 people, suffered a near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at 36,000 feet on August 4. The incident led to an altitude upset and injured 24 passengers.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in its preliminary report released on September 4, said the pilot returned a non-negative result in a confirmatory test after the flight. It called the confirmed use of a psychoactive substance a "serious concern" and recommended priority action by the DGCA.
Air India terminated the pilot's employment the same day, citing its zero-tolerance policy on safety, fitness and regulatory violations.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the draft of revised Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) on testing pilots for psychoactive substances is expected to be finalised by the end of September after consultations with stakeholders.
Under current rules, random tests are conducted annually on 10 per cent of pilots and air traffic controllers. India has more than 12,000 commercial airline pilots.
In August, Air India Group had also announced drug testing for all pilots of Air India and Air India Express.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.