One of the pilots on an Air India Airbus A320 carrying more than 100 passengers tested positive for marijuana after the plane plummeted 300 feet, injuring 20 passengers and four cabin crew members.
The incident occurred on August 4 during a flight from Phuket to Delhi. The pilots regained control of the aircraft, but both have been removed from duty as the investigation continues. The revelation that one pilot tested positive for marijuana has prompted Air India to announce drug testing for all of its pilots.
Investigation and airline response
Under current Indian regulations, airlines are required to test at least 10% of their flight crews each year for drugs. Air India has now decided to go further, with its senior vice president for flight operations telling pilots: 'We nevertheless now feel it is important to go further. Accordingly, we have decided to undertake a full screening of all group pilots for any substances or medications that are not permitted under prevailing regulations.'
The investigation has not yet found a link between the captain's reported positive test and the sudden loss of altitude. However, cabin crew complained to Air India that the captain appeared impaired onboard. One person told the Times of India: 'He was often sitting on the floor of the flight deck and tried to smoke. 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.'
Previous crash investigation
Last year, an Air India flight crashed and killed 260 people. Earlier this month, it was revealed that investigators are leaning towards deliberate pilot action moments before the crash. The theory, which has been rumoured for months since the June 12 crash in Ahmedabad, is looking increasingly likely, according to sources.
Experts have already ruled out mechanical failure and have not discovered evidence of sabotage, Bloomberg reports, citing people close to the probe who asked not to be named. Pilot action remains the strongest line of enquiry in the crash, which left only one survivor.
