Two Air France pilots have been suspended after an investigation into an inflight altercation between the two, where they exchanged ‘inappropriate gestures’ while in the cockpit of an A320 heading from Geneva to Paris.
The incident, which occurred in June 2022, led to the suspension of both pilots. ‘The incident was quickly resolved without affecting the conduct or safety of the flight, which continued normally,’ an Air France statement read.
The pilot and co-pilot allegedly had a dispute shortly after takeoff and grabbed each other by the collars after one grabbed the other. Cabin crew intervened and one crew member spent the rest of the flight in the cockpit with the pilots.
The events of this incident came to light after the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety in France issued a ‘safety recommendation concerning the operator’s compliance with procedures.’
This was after a fuel leak on an Air France flight from Brazzaville to Paris in December 2021, when pilots rerouted the plane but did not cut power to the engine or land as soon as possible, as the procedure requires.
Air France commented that it will carry out a safety audit in resonance, pledging to follow the BEA’s recommendations.
‘The pilots concerned are currently suspended from flying and are awaiting a managerial decision on the outcome/treatment of the incident’ the airline said in a statement. ‘Air France reminds that the safety of its customers and crew members is its absolute priority.’
Picture: Getaway Gallery
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