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NEW DELHI: Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Tuesday said the ministry is taking the matter seriously and has sought an update from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on the existing regulations, after the confirmatory dope test of the pilot-in-command of an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight returned positive.When asked about possible changes to the rules, Naidu said, “That issue we are continuously studying. We have also asked DGCA for updates on that. We are taking it very seriously. If we feel that the present regulation is not up to the mark, we will respond to it very seriously and improve whatever needs to be done.”The development comes after the August 4 Phuket-Delhi Air India flight AI 2379 experienced a sudden loss of altitude of around 300 feet during cruise, leaving several passengers and crew members injured. The Airbus A320 later landed safely in Delhi, while 17 people were subsequently hospitalised.The pilot-in-command’s initial psychoactive substance screening test conducted after the aircraft landed in Delhi was reported as “non-negative”, following which a confirmatory test was carried out as per procedure.
DGCA working on stricter testing requirements
The DGCA is now working on stricter dope-testing requirements for flight crew, with the aim of creating a stronger deterrent against substance abuse among pilots.Under the existing rules, a crew member whose screening test is non-negative is immediately removed from safety-sensitive duties until the confirmatory report is received. If the first confirmatory test is positive, the employee is referred for de-addiction and rehabilitation.A pilot can return to active flying after rehabilitation and a subsequent negative dope test. However, if the pilot tests positive again after resuming flying, the licence can be suspended for three years. A third positive test can lead to cancellation of the flying licence.
AAIB begins probe
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken up the investigation into the August 4 Air India AI 2379 Phuket-Delhi incident under applicable provisions and ICAO protocols.
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Statement releasedf by ministry of civil aviation reads, “AAIB is presently engaged in the systematic collection, preservation and examination of all relevanttechnical, operational, medical and human-factor evidence. This includes examination of the aircraft and its systems, recorded flight data, relevant operational and maintenance records, medical information, and interviews with persons concerned.The objective is to determine the circumstances and contributing factors behind the incident and identify safety measures to prevent a recurrence. It also cautioned against drawing conclusions from isolated or incomplete information before the investigation is complete, it reads further.
