Trainee lands Jet Airways plane; pilot suspended

A Jet Airways pilot and two cockpit crew members have been suspended for two and a half months for allowing a trainee pilot to take over from the co-pilot and land the aircraft in Mumbai, endangering the lives of all on board.

The suspension comes after Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) asked the airlines to take action against the pilot and the chief of its flight safety in connection with the incident that took place about four months ago on a Chennai-Mumbai flight.

The DGCA has also asked Jet Airways to take action against the chief of its flight safety in connection with the incident.

The DGCA sources said that the trainee pilot had only 50 hours of training on Boeing 737.

A Jet Airways spokesperson said the action against the pilot and another member of the cockpit crew was taken based on "appropriate investigations and a confidential report".

Jet Airways in a statement said, "In line with international practices on improving safety, Jet Airways encourages a voluntary and a confidential reporting system for all employees. Based on a confidential report and after appropriate investigations, two cockpit crew members were suspended for a period of two and a half months. Jet Airways is in contact with DGCA and has extended all co-operation. Jet Airways will continue to adhere to all requirements as laid down by the regulator from time to time."

The commander, who directed the co-pilot to make way for the trainee pilot on board, was suspended for two and a half months. However, he resumed flying after serving out his suspension period.

The DGCA had asked the Jet Airways to take action against the chief of its flight safety in connection with the incident.

The airlines spokesperson said "we have been in discussion with the DGCA. They are completely satisfied with the steps taken".

"In line with international practices on enforcing safety, a voluntary and confidential reporting system exists in Jet Airways for all its employees", she said.

With Additional Inputs from PTI