MUMBAI: Pilots getting caught drunk seems to have become a regular feature during festive season. In the wee hours of Monday, a commander on Air India's Mumbai-New York flight failed the breathalyzer test, delaying the departure of the 'zero-delay' flight by 45 minutes. Air India flight AI-141 was to depart at 0045 hours, but it eventually took off at 1.30am due to 'operations delay'.

"One of the four pilots of the flight failed the breathalyzer test conducted by the airline doctors as part of the pre-flight checks. He was derostered and replaced by Capt Ramalingam," said a source. AI spokesperson did not comment on the incident. It was not known whether the airline sent the pilot for a blood test for confirmation of alcohol.

According to sources, between July 2008 and 2009, 29 pilots failed the breath analyser tests, most of these instances taking place during festivals and New Year.

Air India's ultra long haul Mumbai-New York flight is what the airline calls, a "zero-delay flight". It means the airline's operations department sees to it that Boeing 777-200 LR that does the 15-17 hour non-stop flight from East to West, crossing about 11 time zones always takes off on time.

"It is a prestigious flight for Air India. It does not wait for even passengers who may get delayed because a connecting flight may reach Mumbai 15 minutes late," said the source.

In India, the permissible level of alcohol in blood for pilots, engineers and others on flight duties is zero, according to Rule 24 of The Aircraft Act, 1937. But reporting for flying duties drunk is not a criminal offence as it is in countries like the US and UK. Ironically, under the Motor Vehicle Act, an offender is liable to lose his driver's licence permanently if caught a second time with alcohol levels beyond the permissible limits.

However for pilots, there are no such punishment as Rule 24 is not clear about the action that the airline should take against such erring crew. While some airlines ground their pilots for a straight three months, others have arbitrary rules.

A first-time offender may be let off with a warning, while a serial case could lead to suspension. In some airlines, pilots get away scot-free. Currently, airlines conduct random pre-flight breath tests on pilots. Aviation ministry has plans to make the test mandatory for all pilots before each flight.

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