Korean carrier Asiana Airlines is taking heat for allowing a pilot to fly to New York after being injured in a pre-flight scuffle with a colleague.
According to The Korea Times two co-pilots got into an argument resulting in a physical altercation involving punching and kicking.
One was removed from duty to receive medical treatment.
The other pilot was also injured but allowed to work the flight after being assessed by the airline’s safety director.
The Friday flight from Incheon Airport was delayed one hour while a replacement co-pilot was found.
Responding to media reports, Asiana said the fight took place ‘outside the cockpit and that Asiana’s safety director confirmed that the pilot would not compromise safety.’
However the airline still came under fire for taking unnecessary risks as it could not have properly assessed the pilot’s mental state.
