Fly in fear: 42 pilots found drunk in 2009

New Delhi: As many as 42 pilots were found drunk while reporting for duty for last year and eight of them were sacked. The rest were either grounded or suspended for brief periods.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the regulator responsible for civil aviation safety in the country, on Wednesday released information about the punishment given to drunk pilots without revealing details of crew, airlines or flight numbers.
The DGCA said 21 of the pilots were found drunk at the Delhi airport followed by 11 from Mumbai and rest at other airports across the country. Eight were sacked from their jobs and the rest were suspended or de-rostered for periods ranging from 30 days to three months.
The DGCA data, which was given to Right to Information (Act) applicant Abhishek Shukla, says 28 of the pilots found drunk are still flying while four have left their airlines.
Aviation authorities around the world, including the International Civil Aviation Organisation, don’t allow pilots and cabin crew to drink as it might endanger flight safety.
02/06/10 Press Trust Of India/IBN Live

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Jun 2010, Safety Jun 2010