Bumpy Flight? 67 tipsy pilots detected since 2009

New Delhi, Aug 11: Vayalar Ravi, the Minister for Civil Aviation on Aug 10, informed the Lok Sabha that as many as 67 pilots were tested positive during pre-flight alcohol tests in the last three years. In a written reply, the minister presented data of pilots found 'positive during the pre-flight alcohol test'.

According to the figures revealed by Ravi, 67 cases of alcohol positive pilots were found in the period between January 2009 and June 2011. 20 pilots were from from the Jet Airways alone while Nine others were of Jetlite.

There were 10 pilots each of Kingfisher and Indigo who were tested alcohol positive followed by eight pilots of Spicejet, six from NACIL, two from Go Air, one each from Alliance Air and Air India Charters, the data given in the reply states.

Breaking the date year-wise, the reply states that 33 tipsy pilots were detected during the tests in 2009, 23 in 2010 and 11 in 2011 till June.

The Minister said, "Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued Civil Aviation Requirement on November 30, 2010 which explains the procedure to be followed for pre-flight medical check and breath analyser test for alcohol consumption.

And added, "As of now all crew members have to report for pre-flight medical check. As per regulations 100 per cent checks of all crew members should be done. DGCA officials also carry out surveillance checks of pre-flight medical checks."

Informing about the action taken against the erring pilots as per civil aviation requirements and company policy, Ravi said, "The crew is immediately grounded as per procedures with loss of pay and allowances. If found positive for the first time the pilot is kept off flying duty and his license is suspended for three months. In case the pilot is again detected positive, his licence is cancelled for five years."

OneIndia News