Caught drunk, senior AI pilot is grounded

A senior Air India pilot was caught drunk minutes before he was to operate a flight out of Chennai to Madurai on Friday. HT reports.

A senior Air India pilot was caught drunk minutes before he was to operate a flight out of Chennai to Madurai on Friday.

Capt Sebastian Joseph, who also holds the charge of flight operations inspector (FOI) with the aviation regulator, has been suspended for three months.

Joseph is also an examiner — authorise to conduct checks for other pilots — with the national carrier.

HT Image

His role is being probed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in a case where a co-pilot was found drunk a few weeks ago. The second test, which has to be conducted within a specified time period, was allegedly delayed and done under Joseph’s supervision.

The delay allegedly worked in favour of the co-pilot who got a clean chit.