The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said in its report that Captain Umar Khayyam tested positive for alcohol during routine random snap checks for alcohol.
Islamabad (Pakistan Point News – 28th March, 2019) A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) pilot was last week stopped from taking off an international flight at the eleventh hour on suspicion of him being drunk.
However, the pilot has been tested negative for alcohol at a private laboratory.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said in its report that Captain Umar Khayyam tested positive for alcohol during routine random snap checks for alcohol.
The test was conducted by Dr Farhana Badar at Islamabad International Airport on March 21 at around 11:30am. In this test, the pilot’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was found to be 0.12 per mille.
The test was repeated with a fresh mouthpiece after 15 minutes, and also came back positive but with a lower concentration – 0.09 per mille. According to protocol, the pilot was off-loaded.
The Birmingham-bound flight, PK-791 was stopped on Thursday moments before its getting off the ground.
After medical checkup of pilot Captain Umar Khayyam, the CAA had directed for an alternative pilot for the flight. Sources said upon interrogation, the pilot had presented a doctor's prescription of cough syrup. The CAA spokesman had said strict action would be taken, if blood test came positive.
The pilot was later suspended and an inquiry was ordered against him.
