Vietnam Airlines pilots switch off radar and communications
The Vietnam Civil Aviation Administration has confirmed that a Vietnam Airlines pilot and some crew members have been suspended for cutting radar contact and staying out of communication for more than a hour during a commercial flight.
The Vietnam Airlines Boeing 777 was carrying 200 passengers when it lost communication for 65 minutes over Ukraine, Poland and the Czech Republic on April 17.
Duong Van Thao from the VCAA said, “We suspended the flight licenses of the chief pilot and other crew members for violating flight communication rules over the airspace of three Eastern European countries”
The Vietnam News Agency said that when entering the airspace of the Czech Republic, the aircraft did not reply to communication signals sent by the country’s air traffic control stations for 25 minutes, forcing the Czech Air Force to send two combat jets to flank the plane and send immediate landing signals. Only then did the two pilots turn on the communication system back on.
Thao said the pilot would have to undergo additional training sessions before being allowed to fly for the state-run carrier again.
Report by The Mole
EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule
British Airways passengers endure 11-hour 'flight to nowhere'
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’
Gatwick braces for strike