PIA flight stopped from taking off after pilot suspected intoxicated
- By Salah Uddin -
- Mar 21, 2019
KARACHI: A Pakistan International Airline (PIA) international flight was on Thursday stopped from taking off at the eleventh hour on suspicion of pilot being drunk, ARY News reported.
The Birmingham-bound flight, PK-791 was stopped moments before its getting off the ground.
After medical checkup of pilot Captain Umar Khayyam, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had directed for an alternative pilot for the flight.
The PIA flight, which was scheduled for departure at 11:50am, lifted off at 2:15pm.
The CAA spokesperson has confirmed that alcohol test of the pilot has been conducted but gave no information whether it came out positive.
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Sources said upon interrogation the pilot had presented a doctor’s prescription of cough syrup.
The spokesman said strict action would be taken, if blood test came positive.
Later, as a latest development, the CAA spokesman said the pilot had been suspended and an inquiry had been ordered.
“After reviewing detailed report of the relevant organization, strict action would be taken against the pilot which includes dismissal from job,” he said adding that the national flag carrier could not tolerate such a conduct.