Every Pilot May Face Annual Random Dope Test After Air India Marijuana Case

The Centre is considering mandatory random dope tests for every pilot at least once a year after an Air India captain tested positive for marijuana following an in-flight incident earlier this month, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said on Tuesday.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is currently reviewing the existing rules on testing aviation personnel for psychoactive substances. Under the present framework, random tests are conducted on 10% of the overall pilot population every year.

Every Pilot Could Face Random Test Once A Year

Naidu said the government is considering a system under which every pilot would undergo a test during the year, while keeping the timing unpredictable.

“One of the opinions from our side is that everyone has to go through it in the year, at random times,” the minister said in Delhi.

The DGCA is also holding consultations with stakeholders on existing regulations governing substance use among aviation personnel and possible changes to strengthen the testing framework.

Naidu said the government wants a stricter policy on substance use in the aviation sector.

Air India Pilot Tested Positive For Marijuana

The proposed changes come after an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight incident on August 4 brought pilot drug-testing procedures under renewed scrutiny.

The Airbus A320neo aircraft reportedly lost around 300 feet in altitude during cruise amid turbulence. The pilot-in-command later tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test.

Following the incident, Air India and Air India Express introduced mandatory psychoactive-substance testing for their pilots, going beyond the minimum regulatory requirement.

Around 5,000 pilots across the two airlines were covered in the one-time screening exercise. Two Air India Group pilots also returned “non-negative” results during initial screening, with their samples sent for confirmatory testing.

AAIB Investigating Air India Incident

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the August 4 incident.

Naidu said the aircraft and its data recorder remain intact and are in the possession of investigators. He said a preliminary report could be expected at an early stage.

“AAIB is presently taking up the investigation,” Naidu said, adding that the availability of the aircraft and data recorder would help investigators examine the incident.

Pilots’ Body Wants Testing Increased To 20-25%

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has separately called for stronger random testing rules.

In its submission to the DGCA, the pilots’ body has proposed increasing annual random testing from 10% to 20-25%. It has also sought repeat selection to be permitted, with tests conducted unpredictably throughout the year.

FIP has additionally proposed oral-fluid testing as a complementary method alongside the existing urine-based system.

According to the pilots’ body, oral-fluid tests could allow quicker screening at airports and other operational locations while reducing disruption to flight operations.

The DGCA’s consultations will determine whether the existing testing framework is strengthened and whether annual testing of the entire pilot population is introduced.