Allegedly Allowed A Young Boy To Enter Cockpit, Manipulate Controls Of An Airliner

Algerian national airline Air Algerie has grounded two pilots who reportedly allowed a 10-year-old boy into the cockpit during a flight between Algiers International Airport and Seif Regional Airport and letting him manipulate the controls of the airplane.

The U.K. newspaper The Telegraph reports that, according to local Algerian media, a video was released by Algerian TV channel El Bilad showing the boy wearing a captains hat and sitting in the left seat of the airliner. He appears to be pushing buttons and manipulating the controls guided by the First Officer of the flight in the right seat with the Captain observing from the jump seat in the cockpit.

One of the pilots says in the video that the boy "was very disciplined, calm and attentive. I'm sure he will make a good pilot."

The orphan boy, who says he has a dream of becoming a pilot, was reportedly asked into the cockpit through an initiative by a children's charity.

The pilot said that the boy was allowed to manipulate the controls of the aircraft, which is a clear violation of Algerian civil aviation regulations.

Both pilots have been suspended from flight status while the incident is under investigation.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original Report