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ShareNew Delhi: A Boeing 747-400 that developed a snag in Riyadh, forcing its pilot to cancel the return flight to Mumbai, is one of the aircraft that flies VVIPs like the prime minister and president during foreign tours.
The management, instead, grounded the pilot for cancelling the flight. Pilot NK Beri had refused to fly the aircraft on May 27 after he found its landing gear malfunctioned. The aircraft has since been repaired and is back into the airline's active fleet.
The commander of the flight is well within his right to cancel a flight in case the aircraft develops a fault. Speaking on condition of anonymity, several pilots admitted that they were stunned by the management's decision to ground Beri. "It is unfair that the pilot, who cancelled the flight because the aircraft was unfit has been grounded. This has sent a wrong message to all pilots," said a senior pilot.
"Across the world airlines encourage pilots to be extra vigil when air safety is concerned. But the management's decision to ground the pilot has shaken all of us (pilot)," said a pilot based in Mumbai.
Airline sources told DNA that the aircraft developing a snag is in itself shocking. There are six Boeing 747-400 aircraft meant exclusively to fly the president and PM, and the fleet is maintained well.
"Every time the VVIP flies, two aircraft from the fleet are booked and these aircraft are closely checked round the clock. In the first place, such a fault should not have arisen at all," said a senior pilot of the airline.
Captain Beri said, "I haven't done anything wrong and I am sure the management will do justice."
