DGCA tells airlines to film crew breath analyser tests

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed all airlines to video record the pre-flight breathalyser tests of their pilots and crew. 

The directions were issued last month after an instance of a pilot evading the test came to light. 

DGCA rules make it mandatory for pilots and cabin crew to undergo breathalyser tests for all base departures. Pilots and crew undergo checks upon arrival in case of an international flight.

Pilots and crew members who test positive for alcohol are suspended for three months for the first offence. If found positive for a second time, the pilot or crew member is suspended for three years. 

A source in the know said directions for video recording were given to ensure that procedures were not flouted. The recording can be viewed by the airline flight safety department or DGCA for surveillance. 

DGCA swung into action after a pilot from a private airline forced a colleague to undertake a breathalyser test at Delhi airport to avoid being caught a second time.

The doctor administering the test complained and the pilot was suspended. In another instance, a doctor at Mumbai airport forged an entry in the register to show the test was carried out on a pilot on New Year’s eve. DGCA, which was carrying out a check that night, detected the violation. 

“We have started the process of recording tests on camera from Wednesday at 10 airport terminals. We are expecting to cover the remaining four smaller stations in a couple of days’ time,” said Dr Saranyaa Mohanraj, chief medical officer of SpiceJet. 

“We are aware of the requirement mandated by DGCA with regard to the installation of cameras at our crew bases. We have submitted our plan and timeline to the regulator on how we intend to comply with the requirement,” said a Jet Airways spokesperson. 

IndiGo said it was awaiting instructions from DGCA on the matter. Other airlines did not respond to email queries on the topic.

An Air India pilot said there were instances when crew members had to wait for the doctor for up to an hour after operating a 16-hour flight from the US. “The airline must provide more doctors. In one instance, a notice was issued to a pilot who left the airport since no doctor was present,” a senior captain remarked. 

IndiGo’s former head of operations, Shakti Lumba, said the decision to film tests was a waste of resources.

“Daily, over a thousand pilots and crew undergo these tests. Just because there were two incidents, that does not mean all of the pilots and crew are evading tests. DGCA should earnestly work towards meeting Federal Aviation Administration requirements for an upgrade of the safety ranking rather than issuing such instructions to airlines,” he said.