The aviation industry worldwide is in shock hearing alarming news about a SriLankan Airlines pilot. According to multiple reports surfacing online, a captain of the airline’s flight allegedly locked his co-pilot out of the cockpit. A mid-air argument between them triggered the unexpected action by the pilot. What happened later? Let’s find out all about the incident here.
SriLankan Airlines Pilot Locked Female Co-Pilot Out Of Cockpit Following Mid-Air Argument
According to several reports, the unfortunate episode unfolded on a Colombo-bound flight from Sydney. It was on Monday when the incident in question took place. The SriLankan Airlines pilot locked his co-pilot out of the cockpit. He decided to lock her out when she took a small toilet break mid-air, according to a report by NDTV. According to standard operating procedures, pilots must arrange a substitute in the cockpit during such breaks.
As she did not work according to the official guidelines, this started an argument between the captain and the female co-pilot en route to Colombo from Sydney. It was a 10-hour-long fight from the departure city to the destination in Sri Lanka. The male captain was angry with the standoff and he allegedly decided to lock his co-pilot when she went to the washroom.
Following this shocking step, the captain was the only pilot in the cockpit controlling the aircraft. The situation worsened and a senior cabin crew member came in between to resolve this major issue. As per reports, the crew member took the help of a communication link to the cockpit. Using it, they requested the pilot to unlock the restroom door and let the co-pilot enter the cockpit of the SriLankan Airlines flight.
The Airline Grounded The Captain
SriLankan Airlines grounded the accused pilot for locking the restroom door after his co-pilot took a break, that too mid-air. Following the astonishing occurrence, Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority began inspecting the matter. In addition, the airline has derostered the pilot and taken off his flying duty till the investigation is in process.
SriLankan Airlines released a statement confirming that an investigation is ongoing in accordance with civil aviation regulations. They stated that the pilot was grounded “pending the outcome of the investigation.”
Do you think the captain took an unnecessary step in mid-air? What are your views on the airline’s decision?
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
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