New Delhi: Crew members of the Phuket-Delhi Air India flight that suffered a sudden 300-foot altitude loss on August 4, have lodged a complaint over the commander’s behaviour while the aircraft was in the air.
The commander or Pilot-In-Command (PIC) has already failed a second dope test and this complaint adds a new dimension to the investigation into the incident involving flight AI2379, which was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members when it experienced the sudden altitude variation over Odisha. The incident left 24 people injured, including 20 passengers and four cabin crew members.
The pilot allegedly appeared disoriented during the flight, the crew complained. He was reportedly seen sitting on the floor of the flight deck and attempting to smoke, following which cabin crew members had to assist him back to his seat, as reported by The Tribune.
He was also allegedly unable to walk properly after the aircraft landed in Delhi, sources said. While it remains to be established whether the pilot’s alleged condition had any bearing on the aircraft’s altitude loss, the complaint and dope test results are being taken extremely seriously.
The incident also put the young co-pilot in a critical situation as the aircraft suddenly lost altitude. The co-pilot is understood to have taken control and stabilised the aircraft before it continued towards Delhi.
Both the human and technical aspects of the incident are being looked into by investigators. The co-pilot’s report is understood to have recorded multiple technical issues, while investigators are examining aircraft data and other evidence to determine what triggered the sudden altitude variation.
The probe has been taken up by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the agency has cautioned against drawing conclusions before all evidence is examined. The investigation covers operational, technical, medical and other relevant aspects of the occurrence.
The PIC’s failed drug tests, already reported, have meanwhile brought renewed attention to the safeguards governing psychoactive-substance testing of pilots. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is also examining whether the existing system needs to be made more stringent.
A pilot found positive for prohibited psychoactive substances is required to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation measures and can return to flying only after being certified fit and drug-free, under the existing framework.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has maintained that the AAIB will examine all relevant evidence before arriving at its findings. Records, statements, medical information and other material collected during the investigation are being treated as confidential under the applicable framework.