Screening test results of pilot of Phuket-Delhi flight not shared with us, not in position to comment on findings: Air India
New Delhi, August 9
Air India has responded to media reports that claimed the pilot of the turbulence-hit Phuket-Delhi flight had allegedly failed a dope test.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Air India said it had not received the results of a regular test conducted on the crew and hence would not comment.
"We are aware that a post-flight screening test was conducted on the pilots in accordance with applicable protocols. However, the results of the test have not been shared with Air India, and we are therefore not in a position to comment on any findings. Air India undertakes regular drug testing of crew members in compliance with civil aviation regulations, independent of any specific flight or operational incident. We will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities as required," the Air India spokesperson said.
Captain CS Randhawa, President of Federation of Indian Pilots, also maintained that the test results have not yet been confirmed and urged people not to jump to any conclusion
Captain CS Randhawa told ANI, "Regarding the Air India flight that was arriving in Delhi from Phuket, it has been revealed that the pilot underwent a psychoactive substance test after landing. It has not yet been confirmed whether the pilot tested positive; until the report is available, it would be premature to claim a positive result, as there is currently no evidence to support it. The airline has not disclosed any information regarding a positive test result either; had the pilot tested positive, the airline would have informed the DGCA. Since that has not happened, I believe it would be inappropriate to jump to the conclusion that the pilot tested positive."
On August 4, the Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi encountered turbulence, resulting in a brief change in altitude and leaving several passengers and crew members with minor injuries.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is probing the incident, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who frequently travels on this route, this is concerning. But I appreciate the professionalism shown by Air India in not commenting until they have all the facts. In today's sensationalist media environment, it's refreshing to see a measured response. However, I do hope the DGCA expedites the investigation and shares results transparently.
Good to see the Federation of Indian Pilots acting responsibly. Captain Randhawa is absolutely right - until the report is officially out, we shouldn't speculate. Our aviation industry has a strong safety record and follows DGCA regulations strictly. Let's not tarnish someone's career based on rumors. 🇮🇳
While I respect the due process, I think Air India could be more proactive in communicating with the public. The passengers on that flight deserve to know what happened. The turbulence incident itself was scary enough, and now this adds another layer of uncertainty. Hope the authorities prioritize this investigation.
It's reassuring that Air India conducts regular drug testing of crew members in compliance with regulations. Safety standards in Indian aviation have improved significantly over the years. Let's wait for the DGCA's official findings instead of believing unverified media reports. Awareness is important, but so is accuracy.
The media should learn from this - publishing speculative stories without confirmation is dangerous and can ruin reputations. Captain Randhawa's statement is spot on. Indian aviation professionals are among the most diligent in the world. Let's trust the process and wait for the actual test results. Jai Hind! ✈️
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.