The pilot in command of the Air India aircraft from Phuket to Delhi, in which several passengers were injured after it suddenly lost altitude, has failed a second dope test as well, sources have confirmed.
At least 13 passengers and four crew members suffered injuries in the incident.
In a statement later on Tuesday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has begun investigating the incident. Air India’s outgoing CEO Campbell Wilson met senior ministry officials on Tuesday and minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the incident is being taken very seriously. “The sole objective of the investigation is to determine the circumstances and contributing factors relating to the occurrence and to identify appropriate safety measures to prevent recurrence. The investigation is independent, evidence-based and comprehensive, and no inference regarding the cause of the occurrence should be drawn from any isolated piece of information while the investigation is in progress,” it added. “We wanted to get a direct update from Air India also on the incident and we wanted to see how they are approaching the issue. There shouldn’t be any compromise from any side – the regulator, airlines or anyone else.
I have said time and again that safety in aviation is the ministry’s topmost priority. This issue has been taken very seriously by the ministry as well,” he said.
