An expensive cup of coffee. Two pilots from the Indian aviation company SpiceJet have been fired after drinking coffee and eating sweets in the cabin of a plane, it reports on Thursday. Indian times. An episode that contravenes air safety regulations.
“Both pilots have been suspended pending an investigation,” an airline spokesperson said.
The incident occurred on March 8 when the flight was leaving Delhi to reach Guwahati, a city located in northeastern India, according to investigations.
A photo shared on Twitter
The two pilots decided to enjoy a cup of coffee and gujias, a deep-fried Indian cake made with semolina, while in the air. A way to celebrate Holi in your own way, a very popular Hindu religious festival in India, which is celebrated on March 8.
Problem, a photo of this snack taken at an altitude of 37,000 feet was posted to Twitter Tuesday by a user claiming to be an aviation safety consultant. We see a coffee cup, without a lid, placed near the controls, as well as two cakes.
“Not even the horoscope can save you in an emergency,” he tweeted indignantly, whose post has been viewed nearly 100,000 times.
The exact origin of this photo and its dating are not yet known, the airline said.
“Strict Police”
While it may seem innocuous, this airborne snack is not without its risks in a cabin.
“SpiceJet has a strict policy governing the consumption of food inside the cabin,” an airline spokesperson said.
“Even the slightest turbulence and the slightest splashes of coffee spilled on the electronics can affect the controls. It is a criminal act ”, denounces the aeronautical expert who shared the photo of the pilots.
Pilots subject to “disciplinary measures”
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), responsible for air regulation in India, quickly decided to crack down.
“The corresponding disciplinary measures will be taken against (the pilots) and at the end of the investigations,” says his spokesman.
“We are also making sure that the company takes the necessary measures to prevent this type of incident in the future,” promises a senior DGCA official.
Source: BFM TV
