An Air India Express captain, who piloted a flight from Phuket to Delhi that experienced severe turbulence in June 2023, has reportedly tested positive for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory dope test. The pilot has been immediately grounded by the airline and is currently undergoing a rehabilitation program. This marks a significant event as it is the first reported instance in India where a captain involved in an aviation incident has tested positive for a psychoactive substance post-event.

The incident occurred on June 19, 2023, aboard Air India Express flight IX-172, which was operating from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi, India. The aircraft encountered severe turbulence during its descent, leading to injuries for eight individuals – six passengers and two cabin crew members. Following the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) initiated an investigation, which included mandating medical examinations for the entire flight crew. These examinations, as per standard protocol, incorporated comprehensive drug testing.

Key details regarding the situation:

  • The DGCA-mandated medical tests were conducted on the flight crew following the turbulence incident on June 19, 2023.
  • The captain's initial screening test for psychoactive substances led to a requirement for a confirmatory test.
  • The confirmatory test report subsequently returned positive for a psychoactive substance.
  • Upon the confirmation of the positive result, Air India Express grounded the pilot from all flying duties.
  • The pilot is presently enrolled in a mandatory rehabilitation program, in line with established aviation regulations.

According to DGCA regulations, which were strengthened and implemented in 2022, all flight crew members, including pilots and cabin crew, are subject to mandatory random drug and alcohol testing. These regulations outline strict protocols and consequences for positive test results. A pilot testing positive for a psychoactive substance is immediately removed from duty and prohibited from flying for a minimum period of one year. Reinstatement to flying duties is strictly contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive rehabilitation program, followed by a thorough medical re-evaluation and clearance by aviation medical authorities.

Further testing of the co-pilot and two senior cabin crew members who were also on board flight IX-172 yielded negative results, narrowing the focus to the captain's individual test outcome. The airline's swift action in grounding the pilot and initiating rehabilitation underscores the aviation industry's stringent commitment to upholding flight safety and ensuring the optimal physical and mental fitness of its operational personnel.

This incident also highlights a broader trend of increased vigilance within the Indian aviation sector. Since the introduction of mandatory random testing for psychoactive substances in January 2022, the DGCA has reported that as of December 2023, a total of 107 pilots and 147 cabin crew members across various airlines have tested positive. All these individuals were subsequently removed from their flying duties in strict accordance with regulatory requirements, emphasizing the sector's zero-tolerance policy.

The captain involved in the Air India Express incident will remain grounded and will not be permitted to resume flying duties until all stipulated rehabilitation programs are successfully completed, and all required medical evaluations are passed, ensuring full compliance with aviation safety standards. This ongoing process aligns with established regulatory frameworks designed to maintain the highest standards of safety in air travel.