Senior pilot caught smoking on flight

New Delhi: SpiceJet was forced to suspend one of its senior pilots after the clip showed him smoking in the cockpit. The Director General of Civil Aviation has launched an investigation into the incident as government regulations prohibit smoking in all Indian aircraft.
Adding a twist to the case is the fact that the cellphone clip was shot by a co-pilot while they were flying from Delhi to Goa.
What has rattled the DGCA and security agencies is that the pilot managed to sneak in the cigarettes and lighter into the aircraft.
"Smoking inside aircraft is strictly prohibited. The allegations and the footage are frightening. We will get to the bottom of the case," Kanu Gohain, Director General Civil Aviation, told DNA.
Top honchos of the airline have gone into a huddle after the clip was aired by a newly launched news channel. Senor airline officials confirmed that the errant pilot, identified as Captain Banerji, has been suspended with immediate effect.
25/01/08 Yogesh Kumar/Daily News & Analysis

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Categories: Safety Jan 2008, SpiceJet Jan 2008