Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 10: Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered drug testing for pilots across all airlines, with the exercise to be completed by July 2027, sources said.
The move comes against the backdrop of the Air India pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight testing positive for drug use after the aircraft suddenly lost nearly 300 feet in altitude on August 4, leaving 24 passengers injured.
Sources told reporters that the DGCA issued the order last month and airlines have been asked to complete drug testing of their pilots by July next year.
Separately, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said on Thursday that the DGCA is expected to finalise the draft of revised Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) concerning drug tests for pilots by the end of September after discussions with stakeholders.
At present, drug tests for pilots are conducted on a random basis. Under the existing DGCA CAR, random tests for psychoactive substances are required to be conducted annually on 10 per cent of pilots and air traffic controllers, among others.
There are more than 12,000 pilots working with various commercial airlines in the country.
Following the Phuket flight incident, the Air India Group had in August decided to conduct drug tests for all pilots across Air India and Air India Express.
The preliminary report into the Phuket-Delhi flight incident, released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on September 4, said the aircraft carrying 145 people suffered a near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at 36,000 feet.
The incident triggered an autopilot disconnect, a brief stall warning and an altitude upset, injuring 24 people. The report also said the pilot-in-command tested non-negative for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test conducted after the flight.
The AAIB recommended that the aviation regulator take appropriate action to prevent the abuse of psychoactive substances, describing confirmation of such use as a serious concern requiring priority action by the DGCA.
Hours after the report was released, Air India said the pilot-in-command had tested positive for a psychoactive substance and terminated his employment with immediate effect.
The airline said the action was in line with its zero-tolerance approach to violations of safety, fitness or regulatory requirements.