![\"Phuket-Delhi](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-133165489,imgsize-166164,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/air-india-flight-from-phuket-to-delhi-after-it-hit-turbulence.jpg\" "\\"Phuket")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: Trouble mounted for the pilot-in-command (PIC) of last Tuesday\u2019s badly rattled Phuket-Delhi Air India flight after it emerged that he had failed the confirmatory dope test and was found to have consumed marijuana. Besides, the cabin crew of the flight, AI 2379, has filed a complaint with the airline against the \u201chigh\u201d PIC\u2019s onboard behaviour.The pilot also faces criminal action beyond DGCA rules \u2014 which require such a pilot to be sent for de-addiction and allow him to resume flying after being certified drug-free.The young co-pilot had to single-handedly steady the aircraft and then land it safely at the destination.An alarmed civil aviation ministry summoned AI\u2019s outgoing CEO Campbell Wilson to express concern about this incident and find out how the airline was dealing with the issue and review its plan to come out of its prolonged period of operational turbulence.Airbus A320 had momentarily gone into \u2018negative G\u2019 situation<\/span>The incident that has raised questions over the robustness of the Indian system has also pushed DGCA to explore ways to make dope test rules more stringent after the incident that left 20 passengers and four cabin crew members injured.\u201cCertain records, statements, medical information and other material collected during the investigation are protected and confidential in accordance with the applicable investigation framework\u2026. AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau) requests all concerned to respect the investigation process and refrain from drawing conclusions\u2026 AAIB will conduct a thorough investigation covering all material facts and relevant evidence and will issue its preliminary findings,\u201d the aviation ministry said in a statement while responding to queries on the confirmatory test.What happened on board<\/span>Multiple sources told TOI that the PIC was acting under the influence of psychoactive substances. \u201cHe was often sitting on the floor of the flight deck and tried to smoke out. Cabin crew had to help him back to his seat. He was not in full control of himself. He was unable to walk properly after exiting the aircraft,\u201d said a person in the know. AI did not comment on the cabin crew\u2019s alleged complaints.The probe will determine whether the aircraft had a sudden loss of altitude due to a series of multiple and rare technical snags, which have been reported by the co-pilot in his report, or it was caused by actions of the PIC.When the aircraft experienced loss of altitude, the PIC is learnt to have been standing and leaning behind the co-pilot\u2019s seat. The Airbus A320 had momentarily gone into a \u201cnegative G\u201d situation when the PIC and things in the cockpit floated up and those who were not wearing seat belts got injured in the passenger cabin.The cabin crew have given a report to AI. The co-pilot may have informed the airline\u2019s ground control about the pilot\u2019s behaviour due to which the unusual step of subjecting the cockpit crew to a drug test \u2014 instead of just breath analyser tests \u2014 was taken.\u201cAAIB is engaged in systematic collection, preservation and examination of all relevant technical, operational, medical and human-factor evidence,\u201d the govt said.What govt is doing<\/span>While DGCA is reviewing its rule titled \u201cprocedure for examination of aviation personnel for consumption of psychoactive substances\u201d, India\u2019s senior-most pilots sought a differentiation between a pilot testing positive after having a medication for sleeping or anxiety and those who are found to have consumed \u201ctrue\u201d psychoactive substances.<\/p>\n Share your thoughts in the comments<\/p>\n<\/div>\n