COLOMBO- A SriLankan Airlines (UL) captain recently sparked controversy by locking his first officer out of the cockpit during a flight from Sydney (SYD) to Colombo (CMB).
The airline has grounded the pilot and launched an investigation into this serious breach of protocol.
SriLankan Captain Grounded
The incident unfolded on SriLankan Airlines flight UL607, a journey spanning over 10 hours. The flight began smoothly, but tensions escalated mid-air when the first officer left for a restroom break.
Standard procedure dictates that a cabin crew member must enter the cockpit to accompany the remaining pilot during such absences.
However, in a shocking turn of events, the captain seized the brief window between the first officer’s exit and the crew member’s entry to lock the cockpit door. This action left him as the sole occupant of the flight deck, a clear violation of safety protocols.
The exact cause of the disagreement between the pilots remains unknown. Nevertheless, the captain’s decision to isolate himself in the cockpit raised serious concerns about professionalism and safety aboard the aircraft.
The situation escalated to the point where senior cabin crew members had to intervene. They used the communication link to persuade the captain to reopen the cockpit door and allow the first officer back in. This tense standoff created palpable anxiety among the crew and potentially jeopardized flight safety.
EconomyNext reported on the incident, highlighting the unusual and concerning nature of the captain’s actions. The aviation industry typically expects pilots to maintain professionalism and cooperation, even in the face of personal disagreements, to ensure passenger safety.
Flight Landed Safely
The aircraft landed safely in Colombo without harm to passengers or crew, but the incident represents a significant breach of aviation protocols. Upon landing, the first officer filed a formal complaint against the captain.
SriLankan Airlines responded by grounding the captain and issuing a statement:
“Sri Lankan Airlines confirms that an investigation is currently underway following civil aviation regulations regarding the incident on flight UL 607 from Sydney to Colombo on 21st September 2024. The airline is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities, and the captain has been grounded pending the outcome of the investigation. Safety and compliance with all regulatory requirements remain Sri Lankan Airlines’ top priorities.”
International aviation regulations permit pilots to leave the cockpit during flights for essential breaks.
However, these rules mandate the presence of two individuals on the flight deck at all times. In two-pilot operations, a flight attendant must occupy the cockpit when one pilot steps out.
The aviation industry implemented stringent cockpit security measures following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which demonstrated the potential for aircraft to be weaponized if cockpit security is compromised, Simple Flying flagged.
The 2015 Germanwings crash further reinforced these protocols. In that incident, a mentally unstable pilot deliberately crashed an Airbus A320 after locking the captain out of the cockpit.
Feature Image: Clément Alloing (@CAlloing) / X
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