DGCA based on the outcome of its investigation has taken the following actions- (1) The pilot License of the PIC has been suspended for a period of three months for misuse of his authority vested under the Aircraft Rules 1937 and allowing violation of the applicable DGCA regulations. (2)The Copilot has been warned for not being assertive in preventing the violation. (3) Air India has been directed to take administrative action against the Staff on Duty/Passenger including removing from any Managerial functions in the organization for a specified period.
This comes two months after an Air India pilot allowed a female friend into the cockpit during a Dubai-Delhi flight, aviation watchdog DGCA has directed the airline to deroster the entire crew till investigations are complete, according to a senior official. A cabin crew member of the flight had filed a complaint with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) about the pilot allowing a female friend into the cockpit. The incident had happened on February 27.
The complaint has alleged that the pilot of the Air India flight number AI-915 wanted the crew to create a “welcoming, warm and comfortable”, “living room” feel in the cockpit for his woman friend.
The angry pilot then “made sexist remarks during the return flight” the complaint says, adding that the pilot requires psychiatric evaluation as he posed risk to passenger safety.
“The captain told me to go fetch some pillows from the bunk before Ms. XXX. reaches the cockpit to make her feel comfortable. The pilot said the cockpit should appear welcoming, warm and comfortable, as though he was preparing his living room for a lady friend. Also, asked me to take her drinks and snacks order and serve her,” the air hostess said in the complaint copy.With inputs from PTI
