DGCA suspends check-rating of Jet pilot, derosters 2 more

Mumbai: A day after this paper published a front-page report of a highly irresponsible act by a Jet Airways check pilot on a flight full of passengers, the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday suspended the pilot's ``check-pilot rating'' and derostered the pilot-in-command and the co-pilot pending enquiry.
The civil aviation ministry, in an official communique headlined ``DGCA to take action against flight lapses in Jet Airways of 20 October 2009'' said, ``During monitoring the data of the flight by (the) airline, an abnormal rate of descent was detected. Further investigation by the airline revealed that the check pilot had resorted to the prohibited practice of testing the skill of the pilot.''
Jet, in the meantime, sought to play down the situation by blaming this paper for ``irresponsible reporting''. ``We would like to state that the safety and security of our passengers was never at any risk. The flight had a safe approach and landing,'' it said.
The DGCA's communique listed the ``actions'' being taken pending the outcome of its inquiry. In addition to derostering and suspending the check-pilot's rating, the aviation authority said, ``As a preventive measure, instructions are being issued to all pilots cautioning them against use of prohibited in-flight emergency simulations...Strict instructions are being reiterated for 100% flight data monitoring by airlines in addition to random sampling of the data by DGCA.''
TOI on Wednesday reported that on a Boeing Delhi-to-Mumbai flight (9W332), a check pilot who was flying as an additional crew member behind the pilots' seats had pulled out a circuit breaker minutes before landing, due to which the autopilot tripped, the electronic flight director disappeared and the enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS) went off. Aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus strictly warn flight crew against pulling circuit breakers during a flight.
03/12/09 Times of India

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Categories: Jet Airways Dec 2009, Safety Dec 2009