Lok Sabha Question No. 3149 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Grounding of Air India Pilots
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3149

(To be answered on the 3rd

August 2017)

## GROUNDING OF AIR INDIA PILOTS

## 3149 SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether Air India grounded many who turned up drunk for flights in recent time; pilots
- (b) if the details thereof for the last three years, year-wise;
- whether according to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) pilots failing the breathalyzer test is common occurrence, if s0, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to make stringent provisions against pilots who turned up drunk for fiights; and
- (e) if s0, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

- (a) and (b): In the last three years and current year, total 30 pilots of air India were tested alcohol positive in pre-flight medical examination: The details are as under:-
- (i) 05 tested alcohol positive for lst time in 2014, 06 pilots in 2015, 12 in 2016 and 02 pilots in 2017 (till June) pilots pilots
- However; none of the pilots was found alcohol positive for the Znd time in the vear 20014 and 2017 (till June)

(c): Madam. The pilot failing the Breath analyzer test is not the common occurrence. Nos

- (d) &(e): There is no meed to amend the extant rules and regulations as adequate provisions already exists, the details of which are as under:
- psychoactive substance by person as, or carried in aircraft for the purpose of aS pilot, commander, navigator, engineer; cabin crew or the other operating member of the crew thereof. acting acting
- Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR Section 5 Series F-Part-IID) has been issued for the compliance 0f Rule 24 of Aircraft Rule 1937 and examine flight crew before violation of Rule 24.

In case a crew is detected Breath Analyser Positive in pre-flight medical, the privileges of license are suspended for & period of

- i) Three years in case of violation for the second time.
- i) Three months in case of violation for the first time.
3. iii) License of the crew member is cancelled in case of violation for the third time
- v) Expatriate 's FATA (Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorization) is cancelled and never considered for issue of the FATA again.
5. iv) any pilot holding Privileges of an Instructor/ Examiner/ Check pilot/Cabin Crew In-Charge wili lose such ratings/ authorization for & period of three years in addition

In case, a crew is detected Breath Analyser Positive in post-flight medical, the privileges of license are suspended for a period

- i) In case %f violation for the first time, licenselauthorization/ approval suspended for a period of one year. In case of an expatriate pilot; the FATA is cancelled.
2. ii) Action on such cases is taken in accordance with the proviso of Schedule VI of the Aircrafrt Rules, 1937.
3. In case of & repeat violation of the\_provisions contained, the licensel approval of thecrew member is cancelled. iv)
4. iii) pilot holding Privileges of an Instructor/ Examiner/ Check pilot/Cabin Crew in-Charge wili lose such ratings/ authorization for & period of three years in addition to the above mentioned action. Any