DGCA Orders One Time Psychoactive Substance Tests for All Pilots Following Air India Incident
2 sources · India
Who reported this
- The Indian Express
- Hindustan Times
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- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered airlines to conduct one time psychoactive substance tests on all pilots. This mandate expands the previous regime where only 10 percent of flight crew and air traffic controllers were randomly tested annually. The current testing cycle is scheduled to run until July 31 of next year.
The order follows an August 4 incident involving an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi. During that flight, the aircraft lost all three hydraulic systems at 36,000 feet, causing an altitude upset that injured 24 people. A preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) stated that the pilot in command tested non negative for psychoactive substances, while the co pilot tested negative. The AAIB did not establish a link between the substance finding and the altitude upset, noting that the co pilot responded before the pilot in command took over the controls.
Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated that the government is working toward an amendment to the drug test rule by the end of the month. He noted that the DGCA is discussing the new guidelines with stakeholders. Air India began testing 100 percent of its pilots voluntarily on August 13. The AAIB has described the use of psychoactive substances as a serious concern and recommended that the DGCA take appropriate action to prevent abuse.
How each side framed it
- Centre
- The center lean outlet focused on the broad requirement for drug testing across all airlines.
- Centre-right
- The center right lean outlet provided detailed regulatory context, including specific timelines for the rule amendments and the technical details of the flight incident.
Sources
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