State-run carrier Air India has grounded two of its pilots after a fight in the cockpit just before takeoff, according to reports.
The co-pilot allegedly assaulted the captain when he was told to record critical take off figures such as the number of passengers on board, take off weight and fuel uptake – a standard procedure.
“The co-pilot took offense at this and reportedly beat up the captain,” the Times of India reported, citing an airline source as saying.
The incident reportedly occurred minutes before flight 611 was scheduled to take off from Jaipur for Delhi on Sunday night.
Air India (AI) did not confirm the claims but a spokesman, GP Rao, said “there was an argument between the two and nothing more”, the RT news website reported. He added the pilots “have settled the issue”.
Rather than immediately report the incident, the commander decided to go ahead with the flight “in the larger interest of the airline”, reporting it after landing in Delhi, the spokesman said.
It was not known whether the pilot would be disciplined for breaching procedure.
The spokesman said “both the pilots have been de-rostered” and an inquiry had been ordered into the incident.
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