The incident has drawn the attention of the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation, which summoned Air India chief Campbell Wilson.
Sudíp Vašistha and the Airbus A320 Incident Over Odisha
According to an internal airline report cited by the Indian news channel NDTV on Wednesday, pilot Sudíp Vašistha tested positive for marijuana twice and was under the influence of sleeping pills. The aircraft, an Airbus A320 operated with 137 passengers and eight crew members onboard, experienced a sudden loss of altitude, plunging 300 feet (over 91 meters) while flying over the eastern Indian state of Odisha.
At the time of the incident, the internal report states that the pilot was not in his seat. Instead, the aircraft was under the command of the copilot. The unexpected drop caused injuries to 20 passengers and four crew members.
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Crew Fatigue, Sleeping Pills, and the Phuket Party
Following the aircraft’s landing in Delhi, ground conditions revealed clear signs of impairment. According to NDTV, “Pilot stál na nohou nejistě a lidé mu museli pomáhat, aby se dokázal posadit.” Translated from the report, the pilot stood unsteadily on his feet, and people had to help him so he could sit down.
The internal report outlines that the pilot complained of having too little time reserved for rest between flights. However, at the same time, it came to light that all crew members had participated in a party in Phuket following their previous flight from Delhi, as noted by the station.
Both pilots were for now placed out of service.
Regulatory Scrutiny and Ministerial Response
The operational safety failure prompted government intervention. Reuters reported already on Monday that Air India chief Campbell Wilson was summoned due to the incident to the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Airbus A320 to drop 300 feet?
According to the internal airline report cited by NDTV, the sudden altitude loss occurred while the copilot was in command, while the pilot had twice tested positive for marijuana and was under the influence of sleeping pills.
How many people were injured during the incident?
The unexpected drop injured 20 passengers and four crew members out of 137 passengers and eight crew members onboard.
What actions have been taken against the crew?
Both pilots have been placed out of service, and Air India chief Campbell Wilson was summoned by the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation, according to Reuters.
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