Cockpit argument: Pilot slaps co-pilot
By: Kashif Khusro
February 3, 2005
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An Air-India pilot allegedly slapped his co-pilot in the cockpit, while the
aircraft was taxiing on the Dubai runway recently. The pilot allegedly was
upset with the co-pilot over an argument, and lost his temper.
Thereafter the co-pilot stalked off, refusing to fly. Perforce, AI had to get
in another co-pilot on layover. The incident happened on the flight AI 855 from
Mumbai to Dubai.
"First officer S D'costa had some argument with the commander Captain B
Cowasjee over take-off and in a fit of rage Cowasjee slapped the co-pilot,"
said an AI operations official. Following the incident, the flight was delayed
for more than three hours, till another first officer could arrive as D'costa
had left.
"The aircraft is certified for two pilots and they have to cooperate with each
other, while flying. If the co-pilot offers a suggestion, the commander has
every right to reject it, but he cannot hit his first officer," he said.
Another senior pilot said pilots are trained in Cockpit Resource
Management (CRM), that deals with such situations.
"There are times when the situation is tense between pilots, but coming to
blows is a new phenomenon, especially in India," he said.
Both the pilots and the airline spokesperson were unavailable for comment.
What is CRM?
Cockpit Resource Management training (CRM) is the effective utilisation of all
available resources, information, equipment and the human ability to achieve a
safe and efficient flight.
This also means that while the captain is the supreme authority on an aircraft,
his decision can also be countermanded. But in practice this is never the case,
as the first officer has to abide by the captain in all situations.
CRM has contributed towards prevention of 'pilot error' accidents and has saved
airplanes and lives.
By: Kashif Khusro
February 3, 2005
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
An Air-India pilot allegedly slapped his co-pilot in the cockpit, while the
aircraft was taxiing on the Dubai runway recently. The pilot allegedly was
upset with the co-pilot over an argument, and lost his temper.
Thereafter the co-pilot stalked off, refusing to fly. Perforce, AI had to get
in another co-pilot on layover. The incident happened on the flight AI 855 from
Mumbai to Dubai.
"First officer S D'costa had some argument with the commander Captain B
Cowasjee over take-off and in a fit of rage Cowasjee slapped the co-pilot,"
said an AI operations official. Following the incident, the flight was delayed
for more than three hours, till another first officer could arrive as D'costa
had left.
"The aircraft is certified for two pilots and they have to cooperate with each
other, while flying. If the co-pilot offers a suggestion, the commander has
every right to reject it, but he cannot hit his first officer," he said.
Another senior pilot said pilots are trained in Cockpit Resource
Management (CRM), that deals with such situations.
"There are times when the situation is tense between pilots, but coming to
blows is a new phenomenon, especially in India," he said.
Both the pilots and the airline spokesperson were unavailable for comment.
What is CRM?
Cockpit Resource Management training (CRM) is the effective utilisation of all
available resources, information, equipment and the human ability to achieve a
safe and efficient flight.
This also means that while the captain is the supreme authority on an aircraft,
his decision can also be countermanded. But in practice this is never the case,
as the first officer has to abide by the captain in all situations.
CRM has contributed towards prevention of 'pilot error' accidents and has saved
airplanes and lives.
