New Delhi, 04 September (H.S.): The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report into the incident involving an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi on August 4. According to the report, the flight’s pilot tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

In a statement issued on Friday, the AAIB said the drug test of the captain of the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight was “non-negative” for psychoactive substances. The investigation agency has recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action in the matter.

According to the AAIB’s preliminary report, the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight suddenly descended by 300 feet on August 4. A confirmatory drug test conducted following the incident returned a “non-negative” result for psychoactive substances in the pilot’s sample.

The AAIB said it has recommended appropriate action by the DGCA, while a detailed investigation into the incident is still underway. The final report will be issued at a later stage. The AAIB said a detailed examination of the technical and other aspects of the incident is continuing. The investigation agency described the confirmation of psychoactive substance use by the captain of the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight as a matter of serious concern.

It is noteworthy that 20 passengers and four crew members were injured in the incident. Air India had initially attributed the loss of altitude to turbulence, but a report by the aircraft manufacturer found that the elevator and aileron controls had remained inoperative for approximately four seconds due to hydraulic pressure issues in the aircraft’s green, blue and yellow systems.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar