Row Allegedly Over Takeoff Calculations Led To 'Heated Argument'

Two Qantas pilots who got into a "heated argument" in the cockpit of their 747 prior to a flight from Dallas, TX, to Brisbane, Australia have been grounded by the airline pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

Qantas would only confirm in a prepared statement that the pilot and co-pilot had been temporarily relieved of their flying duties while it looked into the matter, but did not say specifically what behavior led to the action.

The Associated Press relays a report from the Sydney Morning Herald that indicates the argument was over takeoff calculations that are input into the airplane's computer prior to departure.

Not that it mattered much. The overnight flight was delayed due to weather along the route, and the delay put the crew over their 20-hour duty limit. But word of the argument reached Qantas operations before the flight departed the following day, August 14th, with replacement pilots on board.

An Australian civil aviation official not authorized to speak to the media said the two had gotten to a point where they "didn't feel like they could work together." However, there was no evidence that either pilot had threatened the other.

(Photo from file)

FMI: www.qantas.com