General in cockpit, 2 GoAir pilots are grounded

The civil aviation regulator has initiated steps against the director (safety) and two pilots of low-cost carrier GoAir for allowing two army personnel — one of them a General — to travel in the cockpit.

The civil aviation regulator has initiated steps against the director (safety) and two pilots of low-cost carrier GoAir for allowing two army personnel — one of them a General — to travel in the cockpit.

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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has summoned the three, and barred the two pilots from flying till it clears them.

DGCA sources said Lt Gen Ravi Dastane, accompanied by another army personnel, travelled in the cockpit of the Leh-to-Jammu GoAir flight. But DGCA rules don’t allow passengers in the cockpit as in an emergency an untrained person can become a hindrance.

“No cockpit entry is allowed except for people who are authorised by the DGCA and the aviation ministry. Airline representatives can be in the cockpit for safety observations,” said aviation safety expert Captain Mohan Ranganathan.

Sources said the regulator was now investigating whether the flight was full and Gen Dastane and his companion were seated inside the cockpit as there was no passenger accommodation available for them.

Although army sources said Gen Dastane was invited inside the cockpit by the pilots themselves, GoAir refused to comment on the incident.

Also, DGCA officials denied reports that the crew had taken permission from the regulator to allow the General into the cockpit. “Such permission is given only for operational purposes. In this case, no such permission had been granted.”