The anger stems from the fact that AI 2379 may have narrowly avoided a disaster NEW DELHI: Govt has warned Air India to improve its oversight on operations and “take responsibility” for ensuring safety. The aviation ministry has also ordered DGCA to quickly revise its drug-testing rules and increase the percentage of personnel who must undergo mandatory testing.The govt has also directed the aviation regulator to enforce tougher penalties against those testing positive for “real” drugs, while giving additional chances to those whose positive results stem from medicines.The pilot-in-command of Air India’s badly rattled Aug 4 Phuket-Delhi flight with 145 people onboard is learnt to have told investigators he had been prescribed sleeping pills due to personal problems which, he claims, led to the positive dope tests. His onboard behaviour is also underthe scanner after the cabin crew complained against him.“The final report of AI’s last June Ahmedabad crash in which 260 people lost their lives is not yet out and then something like this happens with Air India. Govt has taken a very serious view of what happened on AI 2379 and heads will roll. Aviation secretary Samir Sinha has told the AI brass in clear terms that the airline needs to take responsibility and that people found guilty by the probe will not be spared,” said a person familiar with the discussions.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe anger stems from the fact that AI 2379 may have narrowly avoided a disaster. While cruising near Odisha, the aircraft reportedly got a series of warnings — many in quick succession — related to the three hydraulics systems, doors and elevator (which makes an aircraft ascend and descend). Autopilot had also tripped off. It had suffered a loss of altitude during cruise, injuring many on board.An Airbus team is in India to examine the reported issues along with officials of the French aviation regulator, with Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau probing whether these warnings were real or spurious and what had caused them. Pilots want Airbus to give a detailed explanation of the same. “We are seeing whether it happened due to mechanical reasons or human intervention,” said an official.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosThreat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In Kashmir, Employees Asked To Stay Alert Amid Security FearChilling Crash Video: Atiq Ahmed’s Son’s Creta Flips After Losing Control On Highway | WatchUdhayanidhi Backs CM Vijay’s Tamil Nadu Delimitation Stand, Demands No Cut In State’s LS SeatsFCRA Bill Sent To 31-Member JPC Amid Opposition Protests, Akhilesh-Rijiju Clash Over MinoritiesRijiju slams opposition over parliament chaos, says ‘running away from debate’Explained: Why Amritpal Singh’s Party Fielded Son of Indira Gandhi’s Assassin In Punjab Elections?Prashant Kishor Promises Jobs For 10,000 Bankipur Youths After Ending BJP’s 30-Year Hold | WatchIndia’s Map Move Rattles China: What Naming 27 Places In Arunachal Means?Air India Phuket-Delhi Pilot’s Confirmatory Dope Test Reportedly Positive For Marijuana, Sources SayTamil Nadu Assembly Passes Anti-NEET Resolution As DMK, AIADMK And PMK Back Abolition Demand123PhotostoriesKyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2: From Smriti Irani to Amar Upadhyay, here’s how much the cast earns per episodeBeyond Payasam: Traditional South Indian sweets that deserve a tryPreity Zinta goes full royalcore in an Rs 42,500 fuchsia farshi salwar set for ‘Batwara 1947’ promotionsTaking multiple supplements every day? Doctors warn these common combinations could do more harm than good10 beautiful baby girl names that symbolise graceOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your hidden personality type10 classic, smokey and flavourful tikkas perfect for evening snacking5 everyday phone habits that may be damaging your relationship without you noticingThe science behind coriander leaves turning black in the refrigerator and 4 easy hacks to keep them fresh for long8 Indian dinners with over 30g protein that don’t require protein powder123Hot PicksInternational Youth DayMHT-CET CAP round seat allotmentSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestN ChandrasekaranNEET PG 2026 city slipIran warSBI Clerk RecruitmentUP scholarshipTop TrendingChennai AirportNagpur Rape CaseAir India Phuket-Delhi FlightMumbai Kurla LandslideBengaluru Missing TechieSpiceJet FlightTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeWeather TomorrowShakeel Noorani
NEW DELHI: Govt has warned Air India to improve its oversight on operations and “take responsibility” for ensuring safety. The aviation ministry has also ordered DGCA to quickly revise its drug-testing rules and increase the percentage of personnel who must undergo mandatory testing.The govt has also directed the aviation regulator to enforce tougher penalties against those testing positive for “real” drugs, while giving additional chances to those whose positive results stem from medicines.The pilot-in-command of Air India’s badly rattled Aug 4 Phuket-Delhi flight with 145 people onboard is learnt to have told investigators he had been prescribed sleeping pills due to personal problems which, he claims, led to the positive dope tests. His onboard behaviour is also underthe scanner after the cabin crew complained against him.“The final report of AI’s last June Ahmedabad crash in which 260 people lost their lives is not yet out and then something like this happens with Air India. Govt has taken a very serious view of what happened on AI 2379 and heads will roll. Aviation secretary Samir Sinha has told the AI brass in clear terms that the airline needs to take responsibility and that people found guilty by the probe will not be spared,” said a person familiar with the discussions.
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The anger stems from the fact that AI 2379 may have narrowly avoided a disaster. While cruising near Odisha, the aircraft reportedly got a series of warnings — many in quick succession — related to the three hydraulics systems, doors and elevator (which makes an aircraft ascend and descend). Autopilot had also tripped off. It had suffered a loss of altitude during cruise, injuring many on board.An Airbus team is in India to examine the reported issues along with officials of the French aviation regulator, with Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau probing whether these warnings were real or spurious and what had caused them. Pilots want Airbus to give a detailed explanation of the same. “We are seeing whether it happened due to mechanical reasons or human intervention,” said an official.
