JET AIRWAYS Capt. lets Trainee pilot land a 737
 

Jet air capt. let a Trainee Pilot (not type rated on the 737) land a 737. Capt was suspended for 3 months and is back flying now. The airline hushed up the incident and did not inform DGCA about it.

Jet flouted safety norms; will take action: DGCA
New Delhi: The aviation regulator has asked Jet Airways (India) Ltd to explain why it allowed a trainee pilot to land a packed flight in Mumbai in October, violating safety norms.
The regulator has summoned the airline’s chief of flight safety and the chief of operations on Monday after it received a complaint this month that the airline had failed to report to the regulator that a commander allowed a trainee pilot to land the flight.
Bharat Bhushan, director general of civil aviation, said the airline “hushed up” the case and promised to take action against the carrier’s executives.
“Such a serious matter where the supernumerary was asked to land a plane full of passengers...what can be more unsafe? We are surprised that we didn’t know about it. They hushed it up. This is completely unacceptable,” he said. “We have suspended the two pilots. We are going to take action against the airline, the people who were responsible for this, including the chief of safety.”
The regulator has the authority to terminate its approval for safety officials of the country’s largest airline by passengers carried.

A supernumerary pilot is someone who has just finished his flying school training. Such a trainee pilot is taken on board to observe procedures and learn the dynamics of flying a bigger jet.The 5 February complaint to the directorate general of civilaviation (DGCA) had asked if “the airline inform(ed) the DGCA of this serious violation? If they did, what action did DGCA take and was this recorded in the list of violations in the safety audit conducted? If they did not report this to the DGCA, what action will DGCA take against the pilot and the airline?” Mint has reviewed a copy of the letter.
An airline is expected to voluntarily report safety issues to the regulator regularly, including minor snags. The incident raises questions on how many of such incidents are reported voluntarily by the airlines in India.
An email sent to a Jet Airways spokeswoman on Saturday remained unanswered. The company’s spokespersons did not answer calls and text messages sent on Sunday.
The event comes two months after DGCA’s audit of airlines found that some airlines were not reporting incidents to the regulator.
In case of Jet Airways, the audit report had noted that the airline did not have enough trainers for regulatory requirements, had a backlog of pilots and cabin crew who need training, international stations were “not audited by the flight safety department for the last two consecutive years” and the airline had not recruited pilots to cater for the 2011 operational plan.
An expert said the landing by a trainee pilot was an extremely serious offence that should result in the firing of the officials involved and the airline should be severely reprimanded.
“Anything that is done against regulations on the flight deck is considered a disregard for safety, and therefore, is a serious offence. That is why rules have been made in concert with DGCA and designed to safeguard the aircraft, its crew and passengers,” said Steve Forte, a former chief executive of Jet Airways. “The airline should fire the captain. Any incident must be reported to the office of DGCA. If it is not done, the offence becomes even more serious, and when DGCA finds out, there can be a very heavy fine imposed on the airline, a suspension for the captain in question and maybe even the firing of the director of flight operations.”
“About four months back, Jet Airways captain Sheikh Ahmed was operating a flight into Mumbai along with F/O (flight officer) Khajuria (co-pilot). There was a supernumerary pilot on board. I understand that the captain asked the first officer to vacate his seat and he permitted the supernumerary pilot to occupy the right seat for the landing,” said the 5 February complaint. “This is a very serious violation and endangers the lives of all on board. I understand Khajuria gave a written complaint. There appears to be an intervention from someone to soften the action against the captain, who was merely suspended for three months and is now back to flying as a captain.”
A supernumerary pilot has usually only flown a single-engine Cessna 172, which has a gross weight of about 1,000kg, and is not trained to fly a modern twin-engine jets such as the Boeing 737-800 that weighs about 79,000kg.
A supernumerary pilot is not equipped to handle even a minor emergency without training.
The supernumerary flights are part of the learning process to observe and get used to the speed of events before undergoing simulator training.
The other major factor is that there are mandatory call-outs on final approaches that a co-pilot has to give. The untrained pilot will not be in a position to do that, nor will the person be able to spot any deviations from a safe flight path.

Jet flouted safety norms; will take action: DGCA - Economy and Politics - livemint.com

Another report written by The livement.com (WSJ) states the supy was occupying the right seat for the landing and no acting as fly pilot.

Jet flouted safety norms; will take action: DGCA - Economy and Politics - livemint.com

Does not really change anything though JNS, a crew member without a type rating in an operating seat during a revenue flight......

Heard that the supy was a women and the captain a womanizer.
Anyone surprised

@captjns
How do you arrive at the conclusion that just because he was seated on the RHS he was not actually flying the aircraft?
Even if he was not flying don't you think its a sever breach of safety to let a non type rated Trainee pilot with a mere 200-250 hrs on a C 152/172 sit on the RHS during approach and landing? What if the PIC got incapacitated? What if they had a malfunction requiring the crew to carry out recall items? What if the PIC himself was not flying a stabilized approach? Was he even remotely qualified to correct the PIC or take over under the above circumstances??

I can understand if the PIC let the Trainee occupy the RHS in cruise for a few minuted or so. But during approach and landing?? :eek:

haha... that explains why the PIC thought it was a risk worth taking...;)

Right now, as far as I can tell, we have only the "real" f/o's word. I've heard nothing else, myself. I'm not in a position to.

USAir had a similar incident almost twenty years ago; there was a lot going on behind the scenes as it turned out. The initial reports were a lot uglier than what really happened.

While having the faux f/o in the seat is very serious, the paper does inflame the situation by saying s/he actually did the landing. That's a LOT MORE serious! :eek:

Most of the suits and "experts" are quite properly keeping quiet until the dust settles; the paper had to resort to comments from an executive who's been gone almost ten years. The problem (always) is that if the story is false or exaggerated the paper will just let the story die rather than updating it with facts. We'll see.

flyjet787... please read my response on the other thread concerning this matter.


No where does it state that the supy was flying the jet. I would beg to the better sense of judgement on behalf of the skipper that he/she did not permit the supy to land the jet.

Rotorhead... yeah I remember that... a cabin crewmember on a flight between either PHL - TPA or was it TPA - PHL.

I'm sure the skipper got a ride of his life that night.:ok:

@captjns
The aviation regulator has asked Jet Airways (India) Ltd to explain why it allowed a trainee pilot to land a packed flight in Mumbai in October, violating safety norms.
The regulator has summoned the airline’s chief of flight safety and the chief of operations on Monday after it received a complaint this month that the airline had failed to report to the regulator that a commander allowed a trainee pilot to land the flight.
Bharat Bhushan, director general of civil aviation, said the airline “hushed up” the case and promised to take action against the carrier’s executives.
Source: Jet flouted safety norms; will take action: DGCA - Economy and Politics - livemint.com

Now whether the PIC let the trainee actually land the aircraft will remain a mystery. The PIC of course to save his a$$ would say he only let the Trainee sit on the RHS (which itself is a major breach of safety).

What I am trying to say is you can not have any tom, dick and harry sit on the RHS of a commercial jet carrying hundreds of passengers. For God's sake the Trainee was not even type rated on a 737. How would he perform the PM (assuming he was just sitting on the RHS and not flying) duties. You have a 2nd pilot in the cockpit to monitor the other pilots actions. Was this Trainee competent enough to actually monitor the approach and landing and call out any abnormalities or an unsterilized approach etc.?? And as I have mentioned before what if they had a malfunction or something of that sort on approach or landing which requires the combined effort of both the pilots?

Worst of all what if they had some sort of an incident or something and later found out in the investigation that an unqualified pilot has occupied one of the pilot seats??

YOU CAN NOT HAVE AN UNQUALIFIED PILOT OCCUPY EITHER THE LHS OR THE RHS. Especially during a critical stage like landing and approach.

He/She should not have let a Trainee pilot not rated on a 737 occupy the RHS during the approach and landing in the first place.

Spot on!:ok: I agree. Bear in mind some of my statements are "tonge in cheek" so to say.

Lets face it the journos... from all over don't always report the true facts. They have a nasty habit of embellishment with the hopes of winning the Pulitzer.;)

She was already giving rides ... and I'm not sure - oh, well, it was a long time ago. :)

Whats the difference..this is India. NONE of the pilots in the cockpit were qualified. Two of the pilots endorsements are fake and the SNY hasn't completed training.

Incredible India....where human life means nothing to the bosses.

DGCA orders removal of Jet

DGCA orders removal of Jet’s chief of flight safety

Feb 14 2012

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered the removal of Jet Airways (India) Ltd’s chief of flight safety Vishesh Oberoi for failing to perform his duty as the airline’s top safety manager, a first in recent times.

The regulator took the action against Jet Airways for allowing a trainee pilot to land a packed flight on 14 October in Mumbai, violating safety norms. DGCA had summoned Jet officials for an explanation on Monday.

The airline was also found to have violated rules, including not informing the regulator about the incident, Mint reported on 13 February.

Jet Airways chief executive Nikos Kardasis, along with other officials, had an hour-long meeting with Bharat Bhushan, the director general of civil aviation, on Monday, said a government official who declined to be named.

“The head of flight safety has been ordered to be removed immediately for failing to perform his duties,” the official said. A second government official confirmed the move and added that the airline has to inform the regulator on the appointment of a new chief of flight safety.

A Jet spokesperson declined to respond to an email. Phone calls and text messages seeking comment remained unanswered.

DGCA approves the chief of flight safety for each airline. The official is directly responsible to the regulator and is required to make regular reports about matters of safety. An airline is expected to voluntarily report safety issues to the regulator, including minor snags.

DGCA came to know of the incident through a complaint on 5 February.

“About four months back, Jet Airways captain Sheikh Ahmed was operating a flight into Mumbai along with F/O (flight officer) Khajuria (co-pilot). There was a supernumerary pilot on board. I understand that the captain asked the first officer to vacate his seat and he permitted the supernumerary pilot to occupy the right seat for the landing,” the complaint said. “This is a very serious violation and endangers the lives of all on board. I understand Khajuria gave a written complaint. There appears to be an intervention from someone to soften the action against the captain, who was merely suspended for three months and is now back to flying as a captain.”

The complaint asked if “the airline inform(ed) the DGCA of this serious violation? If they did, what action did DGCA take and was this recorded in the list of violations in the safety audit conducted? If they did not report this, what action will DGCA take against the pilot and the airline?”

The licence of the commander has been suspended, according to DGCA.

It, however, remains to be seen if his flying licence will be cancelled too as DGCA has done in past cases, said Mohan Ranganathan, an air safety expert and member of the government-appointed Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Council. “DGCA should not stop with action against the flight safety head. A clear message has to go to all airlines that such violations will not be tolerated. A strong action against the airline is also warranted for hiding this incident,” he said.

Any news on who will take over from Capt. Oberoi? Is he also leaving the company or just his position as Head of Flight Safety?

Shame that a more mature post would have been expected from you sunset_contrails_10:=.

That's why I say that computers should never be used without adult supervision:=... including myself at times I must admit:{.

Meanwhile in the US thousands of 737's fly around daily with non-type rated FO's. It's all a matter of perspective...

Adam, thats a rather missleading comment.

The US license rules are not fully ICAO, but it is wrong and incorrect to suggest that untrained crew are flying 737's in the US.

That is the point here, an unlicensed, untrained and unauthorised person was at the controls of this Jet Airways flight.

Firstly can someone please explain how in the US thousands of 737's fly around daily with non-type rated FO's. :eek::eek::eek::eek:

Because, in the US a type rating is not required for a SIC on internal flights.

However, they are trained and tested.. It is just a difference in the US FAA licence from ICAO.

Adam has thrown this point in to stir things up, it is nothing like the situation in India.

The FO check-ride is just about the same as a CA check-ride, you just don't get a type rating. The FAA does not require FOs to have a type rating.

Also currently most airlines operating narrow bodies and larger require new hire pilots to have 1,000 hours command time on turbine aircraft before they'll even interview them.

The US domestic market is dominated by regional jets, and narrow bodies (73, A320). In the US most pilots look at flying a "big" airplane like an A320 or 73 as a "privilege" that has to be earned by flying smaller jets or turbo props first. It's very very rare to see a US airline looking for DECs.

Actor pulls strings, gets Jet pilot reinstated

NEW DELHI: A Jet Airways flight from Chennai to Mumbai was landed by a trainee pilot on the instructions of the Captain of the flight. While the Captain was suspended internally for this violation of safety norms and playing with the lives of 200 people on board, he was later reinstated on the recommendation of a renowned Bollywood actor. However, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in its usual show for priority to safety has suspended the Chief of Flight Safety of the airline who had little role in the incident.
The story unfolds like this: On October 14, Jet Airways Captain Sheikh Ahmed was operating a flight from Chennai to Mumbai along with First Officer Khajuria and a charming supernumerary pilot in the jump seat. Soon, Ahmed asked Khajuria to vacate his seat and permitted the supernumerary pilot to sit there. “When a flight is at a height of 10,000 feet or lower the cockpit has to become a sterile zone... In this case, when Khajuria asked the Captain to seat him back, Captain Ahmed ignored his plea and went on to allow the lady supernumerary pilot to land, in gross violation of safety,” said a Jet Airways official in Mumbai.Khajuria made an internal complaint about the incident with Chief of Flight Safety, Vishesh Oberoi, who suspended Captain Ahmed for three months. But, his suspension was revoked on January 3 by the Chief Pilot of Jet Airways’ 737 fleet. Airline sources told Express that it was done after a Bollywood actor, close to Ahmed, spoke to the airline’s top brass to soften their stand.
Actor pulls strings, gets Jet pilot reinstated | Jet Airways | | The New Indian Express

This is absolutely disgraceful on the part of JetAirways management. Does Jet even have any safety standards what so ever?? Such a major breach of safety...followed by a lenient suspension for 3 months which itself was further reduced. Absolutely disgraceful.

Why not send the CP and email letting him know what you think of the action and CC a copy of it to IOSA and the Director General DGCA?

Again, this is a newspaper report. Let's face it the quality of journalism, if you can use that term, in India is not the most reliable.

Yes perhaps other countries should sit up and take notice regarding the quality of oversight and policing, or perhaps the lack thereof, within the DGCA itself.

Quote:

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Why not send the CP and email letting him know what you think of the action and CC a copy of it to IOSA and the Director General DGCA?

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After the fake pilot scandal, which is curretly an ongoing issue, do you think IOSA, and the DGCA really care? You can forget about the integrity of the DGCA... that ship has sailed long ago.

Its apparent that the rule is beyond the hand of the Central Government. It's now in the hands of Bollywood:}.

We need a new BOAC to fly on behalf of the Indian public, callsign SpiceBird:}

Spice Jet may take offense:*.

I guess wih someone like Hameed Ali at the controls of Jet Airways, these types of incidents are to be expected.

After the mess in the training department at Gulf Air that lead to the fatal crash of an A320.... Why on earth did Jet ever hire him? Unless from the start the plan was not to operate the airline correctly, but cut corners instead?

There is nothing immature of my statement. It is well known fact that aviation in India is corrupt. I was there for four years.

I have a simple statement.regarding aviation in the USA. Stay out of our country then. I won't try to defend anyone but I know India...corrupt corrupt corrupt.

A