DGCA suspends license of two Jet Airways pilots for fighting in London-Mumbai flight’s cockpit

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday suspended for five years the licenses of two senior pilots of Jet Airways for fighting inside the cockpit of a London-Mumbai flight earlier this month. 

The action has been taken against them for "endangering the safety of aircraft operations,” the DGCA said. 

They were earlier sacked by the airlines. The scuffle between the pilots - a man and a woman - took place while they were flying from London to Mumbai on January 1. The fight between the pilot and the co-pilot began when the flight was scheduled for take-off to Mumbai.

According to reports, the co-pilot had allegedly slapped the lady commander. Following this, the cockpit was reportedly left unmanned on two occasions. 

During the flight, the commander of the flight came out of the cockpit about one hour before the touchdown complaining of being physically harassed by the co-pilot.

Soon after, the co-pilot also came out leaving the cockpit unattended thereby jeopardising the safety of aircraft operations.

After the incident, the Jet Airways said that a 'misunderstanding occurred between the cockpit crew' and the matter was resolved amicably later.

"A misunderstanding occurred between the cockpit crew of Jet Airways flight 9W 119, London - Mumbai of January 01, 2018. However, the same was quickly resolved amicably and the flight with 324 guests including two infants and 14 crew members continued its journey to Mumbai, landing safely," Jet Airways had said in a statement.

The Airline added the incident was reported to the DGCA and that the concerned crew were derostered pending an internal investigation, that was since initiated.

The DGCA conducted an investigation into the matter. 

Keeping in view “serious safety lapses endangering the safety of aircraft operations,” the DGCA suspended the privileges of license of both the involved pilots for a period of five years.