The Ministry of Civil Aviation of India (MOCA) ordered the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to investigate the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight incident, sources told NDTV Profit on Sunday.
The development comes after flight AI 2379, operating from Phuket to Delhi, experienced a brief in-flight turbulence-related event during its cruise in the previous week, resulting in injuries to some passengers and crew members, though there were no serious injuries.
ALSO READ: Air India Passengers, Crew Injured As Phuket-Delhi Flight Encounters Turbulence
The aircraft landed safely in Delhi and all passengers and crew have safely disembarked, the airline said, as per reports.
The airline said the flight “experienced a brief in-flight turbulence-related event during cruise, resulting in a momentary change in altitude.”
A minimum of 17 people, including four cabin crew members, suffered injuries in the incident, according to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu. He added that some of the crew members have suffered spinal and neck injuries.
The DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) further suspended the two pilots involved with the incident regarding the turbulence-hit aircraft from Phuket to Delhi in the previous week.
Both pilots underwent prescribed psychoactive substance screening tests as per sources, with further action to be taken once the results’ outcome is known.
Further action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation and confirmatory test results.
ALSO READ: Air India Pilot Likely Failed Dope Test After Phuket-Delhi Turbulence-Hit Flight: Sources
The screening test in respect of the Pilot-in-Commands (PIC) indicated a result requiring confirmatory testing with the samples being sent to the designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis. The final report is awaited.
The Air India pilot who flew the turbulence-hit aircraft from Phuket to Delhi last week has likely failed a dope test, official sources had previously told NDTV.