Pilot Suspended for Allowing Wife in Cockpit

A Chinese pilot was fined and suspended after allowing his wife inside the cockpit.

According to the airline-donghai-suspends-and-fines-pilot-allowing-wife” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>South China Morning Post, a Donghai Airlines pilot identified only as Chen reportedly allowed his wife into the cockpit on two flights July 28, the first from Nantong to Zhengzhou and the second from Lanzhou to Beijing.

The pilot purchased a ticket for his wife on the flight from Nantong to Zhengzhou, but permitted her to board the second flight without paying. It was unclear when the woman entered the cockpit or how long she spent there.

“He violated operating procedures and air safety regulations,” a Donghai Airlines spokesperson said in a statement. “Chen abused his rights as a pilot, overlooked the rules and the bottom line, and acted against the advice of others.”

Chen was suspended for six months, fined $1,750, had his qualifications as a flying instructor revoked and ordered to pay for his wife’s journey from Zhengzhou to Lanzhou and then to Beijing.

Chen’s airlines” target=”_self” rel=”nofollow”>co-pilots, identified only as Wang and Zhao, were also handed suspensions of 15 days and fined around $900 each. In addition, the flight safety officer surnamed Sun was issued a fine of around $75.