According to a report by Reuters on August 13, Indian Airlines will conduct mandatory drug tests on all pilots starting this Thursday. Previously, a passenger aircraft of the airline suddenly descended by about 90 meters during flight, resulting in injuries to 20 passengers and 4 crew members. The drug test results for the captain showed positive for marijuana.
According to an internal memo obtained by Reuters, tests will be conducted on substances and medications prohibited by Indian aviation regulations. These tests will take place during training sessions at the airline’s training center in Gurugram, after flight operations, at designated locations such as briefing centers, offices, or pilot bases. Pilots of Air India Express, the airline’s low-cost subsidiary, will also be subject to testing.
The report indicates that this measure expands the scope of testing beyond what is required by regulations. Current Indian regulations require airlines to conduct random tests on at least 10% of their crew members for psychoactive substances each year.
We believe it is necessary to go further, said India Airlines in a memorandum, adding that this move aims to uphold safety standards and provide security for passengers and other stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the Indian authorities are investigating the sudden loss of altitude incident involving an Airbus A320 aircraft on August 4. The flight was from Phuket, Thailand to Delhi, India, and suddenly dropped about 90 meters during its flight. Several media sources reported, citing sources, that the pilot failed the cannabis testing both at initial and subsequent checks.
According to The Indian Times, citing a source familiar with the matter, the pilot involved 'sat on the floor multiple times during the flight, attempting to smoke marijuana. The crew was forced to help him return to the cockpit. He was unable to control his body fully and could not walk normally after getting off the plane.'
The report also stated that when the aircraft suddenly descended in the air, the captain was leaning against the back of the co-pilot's seat. He was not wearing a seatbelt, which caused him to "drift" upward. Some passengers who did not wear seatbelts were injured. Investigators will determine whether this incident was due to the captain's actions.
