Booze gets pilot grounded

According to sources, this is the second time that the pilot had failed the pre-flight test. He failed a similar test in Thiruvananthapuram in 1997.

While sources confirmed that a show cause notice was already issued and even a departmental inquiry was initiated against Capt Jawadekar, they could not confirm whether the incident was reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

As per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation regulations, no pilot can anaircraft if traces of alcohol are found in his breath or blood ananysis even 12 hours after its intake.

The DGCA, H S Khola, while addressing a seminar on aviation safety held in Mumbai last year, had expressed concern over the increasing number of incidents involving drunk pilots reporting for flights. He had also exhorted airlines to ensure stricter measures against erring pilots.

In another incident, Capt Y S Rao, a senior commander of A-I passed away at London shortly after operating a flight from Mumbai. Sources said that Capt Rao had retired to his room in a hotel after landing at London, and suffered a fatal heart attack.