New details have emerged about the pilot in command of the Air India aircraft that lost 300 feet last week, leaving several passengers and crew injured.
A probe was initiated after the pilot failed two dope tests and tested positive for psychoactive substances.
According to sources, the pilot was found seated on the cockpit floor when the stall warning occurred as the aircraft lost altitude suddenly. This could have also been due to the sudden altitude loss.
Sources also confirmed to investigators that upon landing, the pilot could not stand straight.
An accident investigator from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) told him he was being monitored by CCTV.
The pilot also had to be helped to sit down, the sources said. The AAIB officer also helped the pilot physically as he submitted his urine sample for the dope tests.
The tests showed a presence of marijuana in his body. The pilot, however, denied that he consumed psychotropic substances.
Sources told NDTV that one of the cabin crew members had also filed a complaint against the pilot for allegedly smoking pot.
the sources also said that the pilot had taken the crew for a party in Phuket as he reportedly wanted to make up with a crew member he had reprimanded on the flight.
During the initial journey from Delhi to Phuket, the pilot had gone to the bathroom, and as per protocol, a cabin crew member was called to sit in the seat.
The cabin attendant, according to the sources, was not good at handling the operation of the pilot's seat and was later reprimanded by the pilot.
The layover in Phuket was less than 24 hours, and the party occurred during that time.
On the return flight to Delhi, the same cabin crew member told their in-charge that she wanted to work at the back of the aircraft and that she did not want to be anywhere near the cockpit.
When the aircraft suddenly lost altitude, the pilot had reportedly gone to the cabin to check injuries/
He also reportedly told passengers not to film him.
Sources say that the went into the cabin without a sock and shoe on one leg.
About 20 passengers and four crew members were injured after the flight AI-2379, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, dropped in altitude on August 4
