One Accidentally Disengaged The Autopilot While Pilots Were Napping

Two pilots on an Air India flight are reportedly in hot water after they allowed flight attendants to monitor the cockpit while they took a 40 minute break, during which time one of the FAs switched off the plane's autopilot.

The Mumbai Monitor reports that the captain of the flight was napping, and the co-pilot and first officer were in charge of the airplane on the flight from Bangkok to Delhi. Initially, the First Officer asked an FA to occupy his seat while he took a bio-break, and then decided to also take a nap in an unoccupied business class seat. Shortly thereafter, the co-pilot "spent a few minutes teaching two FAs how to operate the airplane," and also went for a nap in business class.

That left two flight attendants in the front office of the airliner with 166 passengers on board. One of the flight attendants reportedly switched off the plane's autopilot, which sent the co-pilot and first officer dashing back to the cockpit.

The incident was reported to airline management by the senior cabin crewmember, and all four employees were removed from flight status and later suspended while an investigation is conducted.

FMI: www.dgca.nic.in