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AI pilot covers up injury to flyers, ‘damaged’ Dreamliner still flying
In a shocking attempt at a cover-up and in complete disregard for safety, the captain of an Air India flight allegedly threatened his co-pilot and cabin crew from reporting an incident of air turbulence that seriously injured several passengers and damaged the plane.
In a shocking attempt at a cover-up and in complete disregard for safety, the captain of an Air India flight allegedly threatened his co-pilot and cabin crew from reporting an incident of air turbulence that seriously injured several passengers and damaged the plane.
The incident, which occurred on September 7 on AI’s Delhi-Shanghai flight, came to light when an anonymous complaint was received from one of the cabin crew alleging that the damaged plane, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was still doing flights “without any proper checks which will further endanger passengers”.
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“I was one of the cabin crew on AI flight 348. We were in the middle of service when there was a massive jolt. It felt as if the aircraft had gone out of control. The passengers and cabin crew were thrown in the air and fell on the floor. Some of them were badly injured,” the complaint said.
“The seat belt sign came on and there was a panicked announcement by the captain for everyone to remain seated. After landing, the captain called each crew member and threatened us against any of us opening our mouths about the incident. I believe he even threatened the co-pilot,” it said.
The captain was an instructor (senior-most pilot).
Read: Jet plane plunge: Co-pilot fiddled with controls, says Boeing report
While an AI spokesperson said there was some turbulence but “no untoward incident”, senior airline officials confirmed the incident. “We have ordered an official inquiry. The co-pilot has confirmed the incident. We are examining the aircraft data,” an official said.
“Such incidents have to be voluntarily reported. Not reporting an incident of this nature is a serious offence,” he added.
