Singapore’s aviation regulator has started a probe into the cancellation of a Singapore Airlines flight from Melbourne after a pilot failed a random alcohol test.
Alan Foo, director of airworthiness and flight operations at the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, said it was the first time the CAAS has investigated such a case for 10 years.
The pilot failed an alcohol test before the flight was scheduled for departure from Melbourne to Wellington, New Zealand.
SIA was forced to cancel the flight as a result, stranding passengers at the weekend.
Testing officials in Melbourne recorded a higher than allowed blood alcohol limit.
Under Singapore’s Air Navigation Order a pilot can be hit with a hefty fine of $100,000 and up to five years in jail even if the offence takes place on foreign soil.
"It is an offence for any person, including a pilot operating out of our airports or for Singapore-registered aircraft, anywhere it is operating, to be under the influence of alcohol," said Foo.
SIA suspended the pilot and started its own investigation.
It may also look at the handling of the situation immediately after the positive alcohol test.
Passengers said they were ‘lied to’ after the airline initially said the pilot was feeling ‘under the weather.’
