Shortly after reporting the flight plan error, the captain's medical certificate was suspended after an anonymous allegation was made to Tiger, Virgin Australia and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority accusing him of cocaine use.
The captain, who is understood to strenuously deny the allegation, had three months earlier passed drug and alcohol tests.
A CASA spokesman said it was standard procedure to suspend the medical certificate of any pilot accused of drug use until another drug test was conducted.
Seriously? Guilty until proven innocent.
Attempts by the captain to find out the source of the drug allegation have been unsuccessful, with CASA refusing to disclose whether it was someone in Tigerair management or elsewhere responsible.
CASA has refused a freedom of information request lodged by the captain for all documents regarding the drug use allegations because it would involve an “unreasonable disclosure” of personal information about the source of the complaint.
CASA also said release of information could harm Tiger’s business affairs and affect its ability to enforce aviation safety laws.
Don’t worry about procedural fairness or natural justice. The kangaroo court is in full session.