Pilots fail alcohol tests but fly again

India's airline authorities caught 57 pilots over the past two years affected by alcohol and about to take to the cabin of passenger-carrying jets , but most were cleared to fly again. Only 11 of the pilots caught in random pre-flight tests between January 2009 and November 2010 lost their jobs, the Times of India newspaper said, citing a statement by Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi.

Two years ago, Air India grounded two pilots and two cabin crew after a four-way fracas in the passenger cabin left the cockpit unmanned in mid-flight.